Bexhill and Battle MP, Huw Merriman, joined in with singing activities during a recent visit to Ambleside Care Home in Bexhill to experience how National Lottery funding has enhanced the quality of life for residents and day patients.

The Amblers “Living on an Island” project at Ambleside Care Home involves a range of activities for the patients at this specialist dementia home which has recently been rated as good by the Care Quality Commission.  Their successful bid for nearly £10k from The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK, has provided an interesting project involving hens, art and music to stimulate the residents’ interest.

The funding has provided the care home with 3 hens called Gertrude, Carol and Marjorie. Their residency at the home not only provides fresh eggs but gives residents an interest in petting and caring for the hens which can be quite therapeutic.

In addition to the hens, the project also involves regular art and music activities. The singing lessons and music help to stimulate residents’ memories and encourage physical and mental activity as well as much fun and laughter as Huw found out. The art-based sessions encourage residents to become involved in a wide range of art techniques using different materials to create artworks which are meaningful to them.

Huw said “Anyone who has experienced dementia will be aware of the challenges, difficulties and sadness it can bring.  However, homes such as Ambleside and projects like Amblers “Living on an Island” demonstrate the joy and quaity of life that can be achieved even during the more advances stages of dementia. Even if the memory of the day’s activities fades, the good feelings it has created will remain.  I was really pleased to visit this project to see how National Lottery funding combined with inspirational ideas and enthusiasm can have such a direct impact on the quality of people’s lives.”

To apply to The National Lottery Community Fund visit https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/