Local housing provider Orbit, has donated a ‘dementia doll’ to an older people’s housing scheme in Charing to help support residents who have dementia.
The donation came about when Michelle North who works for Orbit as Independent Living Officer at the scheme, Cornwallis House, saw firsthand the positive impact that a doll had made to her own mum who was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia.
Many people living with dementia are soothed and comforted by holding a doll or soft toy which may remind them of a time when they had young children or a pet of their own.
Michelle commented: “Mum loves her doll. She named her Tulip and feeds it and cuddles it. Then that started a trend in the home where she lives, all the ladies were given a dolly that they all love. It’s such a lovely thing to see, the serenity of the place is lovely, and mum introduces Tulip to everyone. Here at Cornwallis House, we have residents who are all aged over 55 with a range of different needs so I thought that a dementia doll at Cornwallis House would be a brilliant idea.”
Through its partnership with social enterprise and community interest co-operative Ethstat Ethical, Orbit was able to provide a doll to the scheme as part its Better Days programme which offers customers a range of services to support their wellbeing.
Ethstat, who use their profits to provide food for rough sleepers, help vulnerable people back into employment and support families affected by dementia. They also offer employment opportunities to people from diverse backgrounds including those who have experienced long term unemployment, homelessness and addiction.
Helen Gleadell, Better Days Manager for Orbit said: “Orbit is all about making a positive difference to our customers and the wider community. Our partnership with Ethstat not only ensures that the products we procure are environmentally friendly and ethically sourced, but also means that we can support some of the most vulnerable members of the community too. When we heard Michelle’s experience of her mum and her doll, we were delighted that we could work with Ethstat to donate a dementia doll to the very scheme where Michelle works. We hope that it offers residents a beneficial aid to support their wellbeing.”
One resident of Cornwallis House commented: “I thought the doll was fantastic, I was so taken aback how the residents were holding him like a real baby, and some were cooing to him. It brought a calm to the customers that were holding him.”
Yasmin Halai-Carter Founder of Ethstat added: “Like Orbit, our goal is to help our communities and through our partnership with them we’ve been able to donate 744 dementia dolls over the last four years. Dementia dolls and pets offer unmedicated comfort and support to recipients and their families. It’s really pleasing to hear the feedback from residents at Cornwallis House that their doll is already making a positive difference. Thank you to Orbit for all your support.”
Orbit’s Better Days programme offers expert advice and practical information across a wide range of support services from mental health, financial or debt advice, to employment and digital skills. For more information visit: https://www.orbitcustomerhub.org.uk/help-support/