Community activity groups

Music is a powerful connector that helps people with dementia communicate, express feelings and share moments of joy, poignancy and remembrance together with others. It appears to 'unlock' parts of the brain, allowing people to retain song words and melodies longer than other memories.

Singing together in a supportive, friendly group is enjoyable and hugely therapeutic. Our groups are led by specialist musicians trained in dementia awareness, and family carers are welcomed as full group members. 

Movement for the Mind offer gentle exercise to music in a supportive and friendly group setting.

Research shows the benefits of physical activity for people with memory and cognitive problems. Taking part in a social group activity is uplifting for all members, including family carers. 

Our facilitators include dance therapists, fitness coaches and physiotherapists - all specialists in their field and trained in dementia awareness.

Creating art can be therapeutic in all stages of life. It can be particularly helpful for people living with dementia who still enjoy the process of painting, drawing and being creative, and feel a sense of achievement with their finished work.

The groups in Wiltshire are by experienced artists or art therapists and support people to retain skills. They are also suitable for those with no artistic experience. Family carers are encouraged to attend as full members of the group, creating their own pieces of art and benefiting from the creative group atmosphere.

Our first café opened in 2009 as a meeting place for people with dementia and their families, at a time when there were few opportunities to socialise with others affected. Since then our seven cafés have developed into much-valued social and information-gathering occasions where people can strike up friendships, chat informally to professionals, find out more about dementia and support from a wide range of speakers, and enjoy refreshments and entertainment. 

The Memory Shed is for men and women living with dementia who like making things and working with tools. The friendly, sociable meetings allow people to work on practical projects supported by trained volunteers.

The Corsham Memory Shed is a partnership between Alzheimer's Support and the Brunel Shed and meets every Tuesday afternoon at Potley and Pockeridge Community Centre. We take a break in the winter when the weather is cold.

The Calne Shed opened in April 2025 and is supported by Calne's Men's Shed. It meets in the Groundsman's Building at Calne Recreation Ground.

Muddy Boots offers a chance to get outdoors and enjoy nature, gardening, wildlife related craft and, at some groups, interacting with animals.

The groups are run in partnership with people who know the countryside best - from farm based projects to social enterprises specialising in community garden projects.

Whether it's landscape gardening, working with plants or observing wildlife, everyone takes part at their own pace, and we know that some will prefer to just enjoy being out of doors in the company of others. Most groups have indoor spaces for refreshments and craft activities but all run in all weathers.

Our Living Well discussion group meets fortnightly in Devizes for relaxed conversation and a chance to share experiences of living with dementia.

The group is for people with a diagnosis of dementia who want to meet others affected, share experiences or just spend time conversing together.

Topics for discussion are suggested by group members in advance. Our facilitators make sure everyone has a chance to be heard, but the discussion is usually wide-ranging, can go anywhere and frequently does!