Local people with dementia share in the spirit of London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games

On Thursday 2nd August, local people with dementia and their carers were invited to get active and get involved in the spirit of London 2012 by taking part in a jabadao event.

Jabadao encourages movement and activity through the use of props and music in a person centred way. The session was run by staff from the mental health physiotherapy team in Barnsley in partnership with Barnsley Independent Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support (BIADS).

The jabadao event was held at Sheffield Road Baptist Church on Thursday and while people participated in specially adapted activities, carers were invited to share their experiences and socialise with other carers from the local area. Funding for the equipment used during the event had been provided by South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s Creative Minds.

Creative Minds works with local organisations in partnership to improve people’s health and wellbeing through creative activity

Pat Pope, lead physiotherapist in the mental health physiotherapy team explained, “This event was a great opportunity for local people with dementia and their carers to share in the spirit of London 2012 as the activities throughout the event represented the different sports that are played at the Olympics and were adapted to suit people’s needs.

“Events such as this help people with dementia to maintain confidence in their physical abilities and encourages them to develop an understanding of how they can use movement as a tool for communication when words have become difficult to use.”

Jabadao sessions are run on a weekly basis by BIADS in partnership with the mental health physiotherapy team. If you are interested in attending a session, contact BIADS on 01226 280057.

Find out more about Creative Minds.