Garden tea party held by Doncaster dementia charity

Eileen Harrington founded Donmentia in 2013 when her husband was suffering from dementia and she could not find services to aid them.

Normally the charity would fundraise to send people in Doncaster with dementia on day trips.

Eileen said: “Last week we should have had two trips to Cleethorpes.

“People love the train ride there and the meals we organise.

“We had a think about what we could do instead but we were limited so that’s when we decided a garden party would be nice.”

Eileen hosted her first tea party on July 21 at her home on York Road.

She is planning to continue inviting new people whenever the weather is nice enough to sit outside.

She hopes that she can host up to ten more.“These people have been nowhere for months,” she continued.

“Most of them are vulnerable and have been self-isolating.

“One lady told me she was speechless and couldn’t get over it.”

Eileen set up gazebos in her large garden and served sandwiches and cakes to her guests whilst they had a chance to chat amongst themselves.

The charity also arranges trips to museums, garden centres, and other outings.

During the lockdown, Eileen has kept trying to keep people's spirits up.

She sent over 50 gift bags out to people with dementia and their carers and has been finding creative ways to fundraise for Donmentia.

“I have been selling books outside of my house,” she said.

“I have raised £100 during the lockdown.

“People have had more time to read and they have been going like hotcakes.”

To brighten the spirits of people who use the Donmentia service she is also sending out bouquets of flowers.

Eileen runs a dementia forum for anyone who wants to find out more about the charity and the work they do.

You can find out more on their website here.

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