Haven't posted for a while but had to share with you all. At work we are maybe 7 weeks into the cognitive stimulation therapy group. I personally at the beginning was a bit apprehensive as I too had a family member in the past who I would feel would get no benefit from this. Well I'm wrong. The group involves different topics weekly and even although some of the service users leave the room and have no knowledge of what went on, I can guarantee during the group they have fun, sing, laugh and join in. We have planted lettuce (this session made me laugh because you could tell who wasn't into gardening) no amount of persuasion would make the service users get there hands dirty. Musical bingo went down brilliantly, everybody was singing to the point where we could've got onto Britains Got Talent. One session was producing old coins and everybody talked about what could be afforded when they were young. The beauty of CST is everybody is different and I can guarantee each persons personal situation is enhanced. My favourite time is singing with a particular gentleman whose word finding is very limited. He sings till his heart is content, this is beautiful to watch and when I told his wife this she said in disbelief he doesn't sing. Every word, every song right through. BRILLIANT. I will give you an update at the end of the course and to anyone who is being offered this service for a loved one or for themself give it a try. If you want to know how things went at the course ask a member of staff to write a diary, that's what I do for my families and they find it very helpful. I will keep you updated. Take care.