Our volunteers are important members of the OSJCT Team, helping us create happy and fun homes for our residents.  We have some fantastic volunteers with us and we wanted to tell you all about Sarah Perry, our weekly volunteer who not only spends time chatting and socialising with our residents but also does a fantastic yoga class.  Thank you for everything you do for us Sarah, we are really lucky to have you. Over to you, Sarah. 

For a few years now I've regularly visited Grevill House. I always look forward to seeing the residents, their families and loved ones too, many of whom I've known over a long period of time.

Grevill is unique, unlike other care homes. This is partly due to the building itself, which makes the place very cozy and homely. The courtyard garden is equally pleasant. When we use it for summer classes, the residents always feel relaxed and contained there.

Depending on how they’re feeling, the gentle, seated yoga and relaxation classes I offer differs every week. That said, I typically aim to coordinate breathing rhythms to various movements. Doing so calms the mind and helps mobilise and strengthen the body.
Near the end of each such class I often include a period of guided relaxation. This relaxation lessens anxiety. And though sessions are structured, there’s still enough flexibility for any spontaneous input from the residents.

Adapting things 'in the moment' to the resident’s particular responses and preferences means that no two sessions are exactly the same. For example, during one recent class we were moving our hands when a resident suddenly said it reminded her of ‘milking a cow’. She recalled milking cows way back when she was involved with the land army during WW2.

And so, sessions can often provoke past experiences, and these experiences and memories very often re-awaken a beneficial sense of identity. Apart from that, it’s a great opportunity for residents to express themselves while having some fun doing so.

Everyone is encouraged to move as best as they can. It’s good exercise, and for those who no longer speak, such movement is an empowering form of expression. Similarly, those with moderate and even advanced dementia find that rhythmic clapping, tapping, and using the limbs to create dramatic gestures is a good way for them to communicate feelings.

Whether actively participating or just simply watching, one can definitely see that when residents are gathered together and socially interacting, they each feel a strong sense of purpose and well-being.

Sessions are held every week and are open to all. Many regularly attend, never missing a week, while others simply join in and attend as when they want. In addition, there are some residents I work with one to one in their own rooms. Meeting residents one to one promotes a sense of inclusivity. It also compliments all the other enriching activities on offer to Grevill House residents.

I’m really lucky to have such an amazing team of staff and carers around me at Grevill. They’re very supportive and encouraging. For example, they help participants join the group from different parts of the building; provide refreshments, not to mention attending to their personal needs. It really is a whole team effort and with everyone's help I very much hope I can continue to deliver these gentle yoga sessions in a creative, imaginative and enthusiastic manner.