Health and Social Care Students at Fareham College, part of South Hampshire College Group, are delivering vital support to people with dementia in the local community through two weekly group sessions.
Through Memory Café and an Introduction to Cognitive Stimulation Therapy sessions, students and people with dementia come together every week for an innovative programme of arts, games and conversation. The unique cross-generational slants to these sessions makes this a unique community event that provides meaningful memory-strengthening effects for people with dementia, while also giving students valuable experience handling dementia and enabling them to gain useful understanding that can enhance their future careers.
Since 2018 the College Memory Café has been run by Level 1 Health and Social Care Students during Friday term times, attracting a number of loyal visitors and the involvement of local care homes. These social gatherings centre around building relationships and group activities with refreshments. The Introduction to Cognitive Stimulation Therapy sessions were started in 2025 and are delivered on Tuesdays by a local dementia support organisation, Recapture Life, in partnership with Level 2 Health and Social Care students. These talking group sessions feature crafts and creative activities that positively reinforce the brain, and provide a fun environment for people with dementia and their carers.
Alan has been attending the class sessions for over 5 years, along with his wife Sheila who has dementia. He said: “Sheila really feels part of these sessions and she always looks forward to them; it gives her something to focus on. One of the things we both like is seeing students grow in confidence and maturity each year. We enjoy talking to them.”
Lesley Barton, founder of Recapture Life, leads the Tuesday class sessions and commented: “There’s not enough support for people with dementia out in the community. Our attendees vary from mild to moderate and non-verbal dementia – they all need the stimulation that these sessions provide. Our class sessions use evidence and research-based approaches to stimulate the brain, whether through games, arts and crafts or talk therapy, and it has made a huge difference in delaying the progression of dementia in these people. The inter-generational aspect of these sessions is fantastic, everyone has so much fun and it gives their carers three hours of respite as well.”
Claire Street-Jestico, Curriculum Area Manager for Health and Social Care at Fareham College, commented: “These sessions provide the students with real time experiences that enable them to develop important practical skills, empathy, and confidence that will support their future careers. At the same time, the sessions provide a vital community service, offering those living with dementia the opportunity to take part in purposeful, engaging activities that promote wellbeing and social interactions. For families and loved ones, the sessions create a supportive environment to connect with others, share experiences, and see their partners and relatives actively engaged and thriving. This dual impact makes the initiative a powerful example of learning through service while strengthening community support networks.”
To learn more about Recapture Life, please visit their website here.
To learn more about Health and Social Care at South Hampshire College Group, please visit our course page here.