Thursday, 26 September, was a special day for the Sheffield Memory Hub. They received a prestigious national award and were applauded as ‘Winner’ in the category of ‘Outstanding Provider of Dementia Care in the Community’.
The Sheffield Memory Hub is a community group based at the Sheffield African Caribbean Mental Health Association Campus, where they meet every Monday.
The award event was held at the Cutlers’ Hall in Sheffield and attended by a capacity audience.
In a previous BUC News article, we highlighted the impactful work of the Sheffield Memory Hub being featured on BBC Songs of Praise for Dementia Awareness Week. We also reported on the impact of Dementia, particularly in the African Caribbean communities, and some of the unique challenges they face. That report featured an interview with Seventh-day Adventist member - Valerie Grosset, who outlined some of the cultural implications of Dementia care and her role in leading out in the Memory Hub: Adventist Facilitates Dementia Support Interventions: Adventist Church in the UK and Ireland | National Site
Valerie Grossett, who attends the Manor New Start Seventh-day Adventist church in Sheffield, is one of the Hub's co-founders. She works alongside two other Adventists, Norma Goodison and Joan Bussue, from the Sheffield Carter Knowle SDA Church. Ten Adventists are regular attendees among the older adults at the Hub.
Recently, I spoke with Valerie (preferred to be known as Val) to hear more about the award and her updates on the work she is doing.
SPM—Val, it is such a pleasure to interview you once again and get an update on the Dementia work you are undertaking in the community. We are delighted to hear of the recognition and award. Please share with our readers how significant this award is to you.
VG - The award means a lot to me as one of the co-founders of the Sheffield Memory Hub.
My dear mother, who passed away in 2021 with Dementia, was my inspiration for the need for an African Caribbean Dementia Hub in Sheffield, and I accept this award in her memory.
SPM - Tell us about the awarding body and what the award recognised?
VG—It was the 14th National Dementia Care Awards. The awarding body is the Dementia Community, whose main sponsors are Care UK.
Our award recognised the vital role of community providers in supporting individuals to live their best lives with Dementia.
SPM—Carl Case, the co-founder of the Memory Hub, was also delighted to receive the award. You have a quote from him to share with our readers.
VG – Yes, here is the quote from Carl Case:
"The award for 'Outstanding Provider of Dementia Care in the Community' provides true recognition and validation to our members, care partners, and our passionate team of facilitators, volunteers, and supporters. Looking ahead, winning this award provides us with a platform to amplify the challenges faced by communities that are often overlooked and underserved regarding early diagnosis, dementia care, enablement, and support."
SPM – Research indicates that spirituality can have a positive impact on individuals coping with Dementia and also enhance dementia care. *1
With 3 Adventists on staff at the Memory Hub, has this impacted your sessions on acknowledging the spiritual aspect of care provision?
VG - Another aspect that makes the Sheffield Memory Hub unique is our spiritual focus. The majority of attendees are Christians from various denominations.
Our staff recognise the impact of faith and spirituality on our members living with Dementia, and we witness firsthand the strength they gain from their faith.
We always begin with prayer and sing and play gospel songs each week.
We have been involved in a music research project by Sheffield University. The researchers had to add gospel songs to their repertoire of popular songs so that our members could sing along.
We have also formed a gospel choir and have been invited to sing at Sheffield Cathedral as part of the Black History Month celebrations.
Our spiritual activities are as important to our attendees as the other activities.
SPM – Is there an impact on the church, its ministry and its mission in that Adventists are involved in the Memory Hub?
VG – Yes. The number of Adventist attendees continues to grow, and the members of the Hub and their family members are happy to share with others the benefits of attending such a unique, culturally appropriate and spiritually appropriate group.
I believe that attending the Hub has forged stronger relationships with our church members who attend. This greatly impacts our relationships and understanding of each other back in the church setting on Sabbaths, as we are more able to meet their individual needs on their journey with Dementia.
SPM—Thank you, Val, for this most insightful interview. May God continue to bless your work and ministry and its impact at the Memory Hub.
*1 Measures of religion and spirituality in Dementia: An integrative review - PMC (nih.gov)
