The Harlequins Foundation was delighted to welcome over 100 people, including the Mayor of Richmond, to the Imagination Café at The Stoop on the 21st May 2019.
The Imagination Café is a pop-up installation which has toured the UK during 2018, spreading the word about creative approaches to dementia care, as well as showcasing the artwork of people living with dementia. It is being supported by The Harlequins Foundation, Harlequin FC, University of West London and CW+ the official charity of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
During the Imagination Café people took part in activities specially designed for those with dementia, including visual art, archive object handling, music and storytelling – devised by Professor Victoria Tischler, Head of Dementia Care Centre at University of West London, and underpinned by research undertaken by Professor Tischler and her colleagues at Bangor, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Manchester Metropolitan Universities. A number of Harlequins Academy players were on hand to serve refreshments, whilst the Shirt Tail Stompers played some well-known tunes that got several participants onto an impromptu dance floor. Graeme Roberts, Club historian, was also on hand to share a brief history of Harlequin FC and explain why the stadium is called ‘The Stoop’.
Marc Leckie, Head of Foundation, commented “We are so proud to have been able to host such a fantastic event. It’s been really well received and it has been wonderful to see everyone laughing and smiling and sharing stories over a cuppa and a bite to eat. The Club has such a rich heritage that provides wonderful opportunities to have a conversation and the fact we are able to open it up to our local community and make a difference to those that attended is very special. A big thank you to everyone that made the day so exceptional.”
The Harlequins Foundation are planning to host The Imagination Café every month from July. To find out more information please email foundation@nullquins.co.uk