Carole Goulding, who runs the not-for-profit Grandma’s Pudding Co (GPC Specialist Tearoom C.I.C) in Howgarth Lane, Friskney, is offering volunteer work to those with early onset dementia after her husband Mark was diagnosed with the condition at the age of 53 which had spanned back to indications when he was 49.
The aim of the scheme is to give those with dementia some independence, helps with isolation issues and helps give confidence and self-esteem and offers respite to carers.
Carole offers a range of volunteer work to suit the disability, this ranges from serving in the tearooms, to working in the outside grounds gardening or painting.
The first dementia volunteer, a man in his 50s, has begun volunteering at the tearooms by taking up a painting and DIY role. This was the volunteer’s choice to work outside.
Carole opted into the joint scheme after coming across PCSO Nigel Grant, who launched the initiative earlier this year after his dad was diagnosed with dementia.
Carole said: “Mark was diagnosed with early onset dementia so I had been looking for ideas for a while on how can assist and help him and those with this condition.
“It all began when Mark was around the age of 49 and suffered a series of tragic events, including the loss of our parents within weeks of each other and an attack at work. He appeared to be suffering from depression and was diagnosed with PTSD. I noticed a lot of changes in him, he was repetitive, not responding to things and becoming forgetful.
“We went to the GP and after a number of tests were carried out, he was diagnosed with vascular dementia. It is devastating to watch the changes happen. Further referrals have now been made to look into diagnosing other difficulties.
“Mark began to help out in the tearoom, which had always been our dream and he still comes in and talks to customers.
“The idea to help those with early onset dementia also came about after I noticed changes in one of volunteers who was left with brain injury following an accident. I noticed his memory getting better as he continued to attend and became involved with other activities. This made me think that if positive changes can happen to others, then it could help those with dementia.
“Please get in contact with us if you know someone who would benefit from this project.”
The tearoom was initially set up by Carole and Mark, to offer volunteer work to those with learning disabilities due to the couple’s daughter Samantha, aged 38, being diagnosed with global learning disabilities and autism when she was little.
After college there was nothing, she could get involved with at her level, so the tearoom was born in May 2021 to support her, and others gain independence, self-worth, self-esteem and social skills.
It has developed into a community hub and encourages some of the adults with learning difficulties into work. They have 36 volunteers in total.
The dementia volunteer project was launched earlier this year by PCSO Nigel Grant who worked alongside Boston Neighbourhood Policing Team with other organisations to offer volunteer work.
These included Boston Dementia Action Alliance and other organisations including, St Botolph’s Church, Restore Church, Centenary Church, Cafe Noglish, Boston United Football Club and The University of Lincoln.
PCSO Grant said: “I met Carole, who had a pop-up stand, in Spilsby, a few months back. It is amazing that we can work together on helping those with dementia.
“This is a great opportunity, particularly for those who feel isolated or lonely, to have the chance to maintain their independence and return to the workplace, be part of a team of dedicated and enthusiastic individuals and continue to make valuable contributions to the community.
“My father was diagnosed with dementia several years ago. As a result of this, I have first-hand experience of the impact the diagnosis has had on him and our family.
“I guess the feeling of isolation, despite having a loving family around him 24/7 is perhaps uppermost in my father’s thoughts with constant requests for me or family members to take him out for a coffee and to meet other people”.
“I know this is not a unique situation and the feeling of isolation features highly amongst those living with dementia. Hopefully this initiative will give those living with dementia and feeling in a similar situation to my father, the opportunity to be included once more and make a valuable contribution within the community of Boston.”
The initiative is in response to an appeal made following the airing in 2019 of the Channel 4 programme, “The Restaurant That Makes Mistakes.”; a programme about individuals diagnosed with dementia, many of whom felt isolated as a result of being diagnosed and giving up their job.
The creation of the restaurant gave them the opportunity to return to the workplace and contribute once again. During the programme, an appeal was made for more businesses/organisations to get involved by providing workplace opportunities and our initiative is a direct response to the appeal. For more information about the Channel 4 programme please see below.
We would like to thank the organisations and business for their support.
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An iconic hand-built Triumph sports car, the first of its kind to ever be created, was on display in Lincoln on Monday for motoring enthusiasts to enjoy.
The two-seater UK prototype car, named the TS2, was built by hand in 1953 in response to the MG sports car of the era,
If formed the basis of the Triumph TR range of sports cars which ceased production in the early 1980s, and car lovers were treated with the opportunity to see it in person right here in Lincoln on Monday.
A host of other Triumph cars were on display on Monday. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The hand-built car was the first right-hand drive Triumph TR2. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The impressive prototype TS2 was joined by a series of other Triumph cars for a day through the county on Monday, August 15, starting at Uncle Henry’s Farm Shop before arriving outside Lincoln Cathedral and eventually stopping off at the Windmill in Heckington.
On Tuesday, the touring continues as it attends a gathering Bicker at 10.45am, followed by a trip to the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Museum at East Kirkby at 11.45am.
Plenty gathered to have a look around the vehicles. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
A car lover’s dream day! | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The stops in Lincolnshire form part of a Great British tour for the legendary vehicle, and it will be going to Derbyshire after visiting our county – bringing to an end the UK appearances.
See more photos of the vehicles from Steve Smailes below:
The Game, an icon in the 21st century rap music business, will be bringing his array of hits to Lincoln Engine Shed for his first UK shows in over five years this December.
Jayceon Terrell Taylor is better known as The Game, and the 42-year-old Compton-born rapper soared to fame in the early 2000s as an up-and-coming star on Dr Dre’s Aftermath Records label – selling millions of album copies throughout his illustrious career.
His debut album The Documentary boasted some of hip-hop’s biggest ever hits, including How We Do and Hate It Or Love It featuring fellow rap icon 50 Cent.
His lyrical soul-searching through tough upbringings has made him a favourite in the genre, and he is still going strong to this day – announcing a tour of the UK and Ireland to accompany his new album Drillmatic – Mind vs. Heart.
The tour will be The Game’s first in the United Kingdom for over five years, and it will see one of rap music’s most iconic names perform right here in Lincoln on December 5 – as he brings the energy to the Engine Shed.
Tickets will cost £33 and go on sale via the Engine Shed website at 10am on Monday, August 22. Given the subject matter of The Game’s songs, the show is unsurprisingly an over-18s event.
The Grammy winning rapper was part of a major talking point earlier in 2022, when his lead single Eazy contained a candid verse by Kanye West, in which he discussed his public divorce with Kim Kardashian.
His tenth studio album, Drillmatic – Mind vs. Heart, was released on August 12 and contained collaborations from major artists including Drake, Rick Ross, Chris Brown and the aforementioned Kanye West.
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