Oxford Community Art Class is Flippin Marvelous!

12 February 2024: Volunteers and carers at a free community arts and crafts class in Oxfordshire have taken on a pancake flip to engage attendees including those with dementia and brain injury.

The free weekly community arts and crafts class held at Uffington Village Hall is funded by home care company Walfinch Oxford, and is open to anyone in the community as a safe warm space to meet up, enjoy lunch, tea and cakes and engage with arts and crafts and now enjoy a pancake flip! Carers are provided for those needing one-to-one support.

Kam Gill, Registered Manager, Walfinch Oxford said: “We are always looking for ways to brighten everyone’s day and if for example, someone with dementia or other complex care needs can be encouraged to count as we flip the pancakes smiles are raised all around.”

Kam encourages her team to go over and above to engage clients, particularly those with dementia. Kam says: “It’s not just about meeting clients' physical needs, but their social, emotional and mental wellbeing too.”

Events Coordinator Hannah Tomlin was encouraged and supported to set up the community art and crafts class. Walfinch Oxford financially supports hall hire, carers and provides lunch plus cakes and tea and of course the pancakes!

Kam continues: “We are using our pancake flip to highlight how important company, community engagement and a safe space is to people with dementia and other conditions, for their families, carers and others from the community too. Everyone can look forward to finding company and join in with activities regardless of ability at no cost. This initiative effectively extends care not just to individuals, but to the whole community.”

Hannah Tomlin says: “Uffington is quite a tightly knit community and many people know each other well so it's another opportunity for them to get together, particularly welcome in winter. It gets people out of the house and moving around and provides social interaction. We recently celebrated one gentleman’s 97th birthday at art group with a birthday cake and all sang to him. Our pancake flip session was also great fun!”