People often forget about those whose role it is to care for a person living with dementia. Anna Gillett’s book entitled “How to communicate with someone living with Dementia” provides a very useful guide to supporting individuals with such a commitment. Organised into sections entitled “Helpful activities that I use everyday” and “Simple activities that really do work” Anna’s book should be read by everyone because effective communication with a person living with dementia helps them to maintain a quality of life. Give this book a read and hope you find it supportive.

eBook Review by Remi Vibesman February 2021                                                       

Anna is a true expert at what she does and she does it with genuine compassion and respect for her clients and their loved ones. Hats off to you Anna for doing such an important job.
Georgina L Chapman, Georgina Online, Business Coach/Copywriter April 2020                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
Went along with mum today to Armchair Exercises with the lovely Anna .
Mum is new to the area and what a lovely welcoming she got from everyone attending. This is a great way to meet people and of course keep active. Plus they serve tea biscuits & laughter.
Linda Wilding, Client’s Daughter, Bexhill, March 2020                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
I run our dementia unit and most are not comfortable coming up to try and engage our residents in activities. Anna is brilliant with our residents who are at different stages of the illness. She engages them and they seem to be more relaxed in her presence. I definitely look forward to Golden activities visits to Ashridge!
Sarah Louise Saunders-Western, Dementia Unit Manager, Ashridge Court Care Home, Bexhill, March 2020                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
Anna visits our home in Eastbourne and the residents absolutely love her.
She remembers all their names and treats them as individuals.
Very up beat and engaging.
Julie Ayling, Activities Co-ordinator, Le Brun Houses, Eastbourne, March 2020                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
Thank you Anna for coming to entertain and chat to our residents at Pentlow Nursing Home. The residents and myself always enjoy your visits. You brighten up our day.
Chloe Martin, Activities Co-ordinator, Pentlow Nursing Home, Eastbourne, March 2020                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
Anna is a gem, always happy, smiling.
She visited our home a few times.
Today she played us some amazing hymns and Christmas songs, read some poetry and proverbs.
One of our residents was signing with her.
We already booked her for session in January and February.
The residents love her.
Thank you for another great afternoon.
Zuzana Conolly Liptakova, Activity Coordinator, Glottenham Manor Nursing Home, Robertsbridge, December 2019                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
Anna is a wonderful breathe of fresh air. she engages with each and e every one one of our residents and knows each persons likes and dislikes. Anna is a lot of fun, gentle and caring!
Kellie Carter, Dementia Unit, Hastings Court Care Home, Hastings, December 2019                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

I can’t thank you enough for recommending CM , she is fantastic and doing a brilliant job. Anna you’re my cherub!

Shaina Kumar, Home Manager, Palm Court Nursing Home, Eastbourne, November 2019

Anna is absolutely incredible with the residents at Lennox lodge – Anna originally came to us once a month but due to our residents request Anna now comes every other Wednesday! The residents now know Anna really well, as well as Anna having a great relationship with their residents and having a good understanding of their individual needs. Absolutely 100% recommend Anna

Natasha Stevens, Home Manager, Lennox Lodge, Bexhill, October 2019

Anna engaged with each individual in the session. She provided a energetic and meaningful session. She was quick to adapt the session where necessary and motivated all those involved. With competitive prices and great energy, we would highly recommend.

Naomi Scott, Home Manager, Streatfeild House, St Leonards on Sea, October 2019

Anna is a lovely, enthusiastic and passionate person. The residents at Bryher Court thoroughly enjoy the Golden Activity sessions and look forward to Anna coming in each month. She even manages to get some of the quieter residents to join in and they love seeing and discussing some of the reminiscent materials she brings in. Thank you Anna for all that you do!

Charlotte O’Callaghan, Activities Co-ordinator, Bryher Court, St Leonards on Sea, October 2019

Anna is a fantastic asset for our service and clients, I would thoroughly recommend her for other services looking to focus on well being and outcomes for their services.

Tara Cross, Home Manager, Mulberry House, St Leonards on Sea, May 2019

Just had our first session with Anna, at Manor Hall Nursing home, and we cannot wait to have her back again. Anna includes everyone in her session, no one is left out and it’s amazing to see those with dementia come out of themselves to interact with her. What a lovely lady you are Anna, thank you from myself and the residents at Manor Hall!

Kate Sorrenti, Activities Co-ordinator, Manor Hall Nursing Home, Eastbourne, May 2019

I always take my mum to visit my dad at Pentlow on a Thursday afternoon. This is because I know that Anna will be there with her Golden Activities ensuring that all the residents can be involved. They take part in quizzes, choose their favourite music and listen to poems. Each session is tailored to the interests of the residents. We have a wonderful hour and it always goes too fast. Thank you Anna.

Chris King, Resident’s Daughter, Pentlow Nursing Home, Eastbourne, May 2019

We all look forward to our weekly visit from Anna she is always happy and the residents love her. She is very good at adapting to the individual needs of our residents in a group session making everyone feel included. But most importantly she makes the residents happy with her good fun and positive attitude.

Kimberley Mann, Lifestyle Co-ordinator, Hastings Court, Hastings May 2019

Golden Activities visited our centre on a number of occasions…Anna was an instant success. Our centre offered support to older people over 55 with a range of needs for example Dementia, Learning Disabilities and those who were recovering from Strokes. Anna was able to engage with all. She always arrived on time full of energy and delivered fun, captivating, exciting and interesting sessions. We certainly would recommended her to other providers – great addition to any service.

Carleton Astley, Centre Manager, Isabel Blackman Centre, Hastings, April 2019

Anna has come several times to Dudwell St Mary to deliver innovative and meaningful activities to our residents and also to support our activity team in learning new approaches in reminiscing. She always delivers excellent activities and interacts with residents and team members very well. We are Proud to work with her and our residents enjoy her visits very much!

Patrick McCrossan, Home Manager, Barchester Dudwell St Mary, Etchingham, January 2019

Anna brings such enthusiasm to every session and adapts to individual needs always so much fun and now a regular visitor to Peterhouse.

Naomi Scott, Activities Co-ordinator, Peterhouse Retirement Complex, Bexhill, January 2019

Anna bounces into our home twice a week bringing her unique brand of truly meaningful activities to our residents. It is a pleasure to see Anna at work , she just ‘gets ‘ what people need and tailors her time to make sure our residents enjoy every visit. Keep up the magic Anna!

Zoe Redman, Deputy Home Manager, Ashridge Court Care Centre, Bexhill, December 2018

Our residents always look forward to Anna’s entertainment afternoons. They enjoy her reminiscing sessions along with singing and motivational discussions.  Anna is punctual , professional and always brings along a smile. Thanks Anna.

Sue Salim, Home Manger, St.Nectans Residential Care Home, Bexhill, December 2018

Anna is one of those special people that just intuitively know what to do and how to connect with people. She has a passion for her work and it shines through. Anna comes to the dementia unit that I work in and is an absolute gem! She brings all she is to her work and I unreservedly recommend Golden Activities to anyone who wants to enhance the lives of the people they care for.

Dave Williams, RGN Nurse, Ashridge Court Care Centre, Bexhill, October 2018

Anna joined us recently for a session of poetry, music and reminiscence therapy. All of the residents who attended had a very enjoyable afternoon. A highlight for many was looking through photographs that brought back childhood memories. Anna made sure every resident was included and made the session personal to everyone. We highly recommend Anna and are very much looking forward to the next session!

Sian Elder, Activities Co-ordinator, The Laurels Nursing Home, Hastings, October 2018

Golden Activities came to the Taplin Centre in September. Anna has a full package of Activities for our service users. She involved everyone & kept everyone’s attention & brought back many memories. Our service users enjoyed the afternoon spent with Anna & we will be booking her again.

Barbara McTaggart, Activities Co-ordinator, The John Taplin Centre, St Leonards on Sea, October 2018

Anna frequently visits our residents at Lennox Lodge, they thoroughly enjoy the visits and having spent time myself in the sessions, we will not hesitate to book again. Anna has a bright and bubbly personality and always brings the sunshine in with her.

Kayleigh White, Lennox Lodge, Bexhill, September 2018

The sessions my residents have with Anna they thoroughly enjoy this time with her, she gets our residents really motivated and singing and dancing. I would highly recommend her to all care homes not too be missed. We have her weekly basis at a great price

Kara Croucher, Home Manager, Jubilee Court, Bexhill, August 2018

We thoroughly enjoyed spending the afternoon with Anna today. Staff, residents and visitors all gave really positive feedback. Thanks again!

Lily Vaughan, Home Manager, Crest House Care Home, St Leonards on Sea, July 2018

Anna came to visit us this morning in our specialist dementia unit and WOW! What a woman! She brought smiles to all of our residents she was able to get them singing along and reminiscing on their past experiences in their life times.
Bringing her portable speaker with her and being able to play much loved songs. Highly recommend her.
Have booked her in for the rest of the coming year!

Toyah Rew, Head of Activities, Ashridge Court Care Centre, Bexhill, July 2018

Anna came to Blair House today, where she engaged with residents straight away, they all joined in with what Anna was doing and thoroughly enjoy their afternoon. This lady is well worth having come along to your home.

Carole Brown, Home Manager, Blair House, St Leonards on Sea  July 2018

The residents were made up with the morning of  music , singalong and reminiscing.  Just to see their faces made it ! Glad you are coming regularly!

Nadia Morley, Activities Co-oordinator, Bannow Retirement Home, St Leonards on Sea, July 2018

A fantastic service which engages the Residents at all levels including those with Dementia.

Sara York, Deputy Manager – Homelea, Eastbourne – June 2018

Anna visited our care home and really engaged with the residents well. I would have no hesitation in having her come to a group of people of any age to share memories and feelings.

Alison Jarmain, Activities Co-ordinator, Birkin Lodge, Brighterkind, Tunbridge Wells, June 2018

Anna comes once a week & does Chair Exercises with my husband who is 92. This is excellent for someone who is beginning to be immobile. Anna has a wonderful personality & he is all smiles whilst she is here.

Avis Rose, Bexhill – June 2018

Golden Activities reminiscence sessions are fun, informative & meaningful. We will be using Anna on a regular basis.

Lee Owen, Activities Manager,  The British Legion, Mais House  Bexhill – May 2018

Residents thoroughly enjoyed it… Brought back a lot of memories & engaging conversations…Thanks.

And a big Big thank you to the ladies with the lovely cakes & endless cups of teas.. All with a smile.

Angela Wade, Thornwood Residential Care Home, Bexhill   May 2018

Thank you Anna and your team for a fantastic afternoon.

Our ladies had a wonderful time and really appreciated the poetry and reminiscence. They said they couldn’t believe they had such a lovely time AND gone home with a raffle prize each too!

I would highly recommend the afternoon to anyone else who wanted to have a fun filled time with lovely people.

Kerry Halliday – MHA Richmond, Bexhill, May 2018

Really lovely experience!
Fantastic idea! Our ladies thoroughly enjoyed themselves and were so thankful. Everyone was so warm and welcoming and very chatty and easy to get along with and talk to for all types of personalities!
Thanks Anna, We will defo be back and can’t wait for your visit and will defo recommend you to others. See you soon

Hannah Deeprose – MHA Richmond, Bexhill, May 2018

Anna Gillett has introduced our residents to Golden Activities. This has proved to be an instant hit with our residents. Our staff who were overseeing the session reported that even the most reluctant of people were engaged with the reminiscence session. Green Bank will definitely continue to use Anna’s undoubted flair. Reminiscence tends to be sorely neglected in activities but Golden Activities uses this as it’s bulwark and wins hands down.

Mrs Pillow, Owner, Green Bank Care Home, Bexhill

April 2018