NELFT staff hosted a Vintage Tea Party at Tesco Extra in Romford on Wednesday 19 October. The party was held to raise awareness of dementia and also to highlight the work being done for NHS Fab Change Day, which celebrates improvement within the NHS and encourages staff to share their ideas for positive change.

The store, at Roneo Corner, was adorned with 1940s memorabilia and staff dressed to mark the era, serving tea and cakes on vintage china with the tunes of the decade.

The event was opened by the Town Cryer, Harry Matthews, who introduced speeches from the Mayor of Havering, Councillor Philippa Crowder and also NELFT Nurse Consultant for Frailty and Long Term Conditions, Geraldine Rodgers. Performers from Mr Dickie Bow’s School of Dance then took to the floor, in the foyer of the store, to treat visitors and shoppers to an energetic jive and swing routine, accompanied by songs from the era.

The Alzheimer’s Society was also at the event to support dementia awareness and provided a stall with information and leaflets for visitors. The Carers of Barking and Dagenham were hand to offer support to the unpaid carers in the borough. The group run the Memory Lane Resource Centre, which is for people with dementia and helps them with activities that help to stimulate the memory, while at the same time providing carers with an opportunity for some respite.

There was also a raffle, with three prizes which were all kindly donated by Tesco, and the money raised was presented to the Alzheimer’s Society.

NELFT Membership Support Officer Sandra Chambers, who organised the party, said: “It was an amazing day, as we were able to help so many people remincise and share their life experiences, memories and stories from their past.

“I’d like to thank Tesco and their staff for helping us host the event and for donating the raffle prizes. I’d also like to thank the Mayor of Havering, Cllr Phillipa Crowder and her consort for their whole-hearted support of our work to raise awareness of dementia, as well as all the people who helped put together such a fun and worthwhile event.”

NELFT Nurse Consultant Geraldine Rodgers said: “I was immensely proud to play a role in the Vintage Tea Party in Romford. It was such a vibrant occasion with a room full of people enjoying themselves and reminiscing about their past, while at the same time being able to access information about dementia and the services provided by both NELFT and the Alzheimer’s Society.”

For information about NHS Fab Change Day, visit their website at: http://fabnhsstuff.net/fabchangeday