LAUGHTER is the best medicine, they say, and at Liskeard’s Echo centre the laughter and jokes are flowing freely as friends gather round the table.

Joining in with a rather raucous game of hangman are participants, staff and volunteers of an initiative, Turning the Cogs, that has been running here for several years.  The word game is a regular way to start this weekly session for anyone experiencing memory loss, and the group take pleasure in beating leader Julia, and gently teasing her along the way, if they can.

‘It’s a two hour session, and we follow a set format, but each week there’s a different theme, and the activities will be geared to that,’ she said.

‘We start with a drink and a chat, and there’s an introduction on the board.’

Sessions usually include word and number games, puzzles, and physical games and activities, and there is always music.

The programme is based on Cognitive Stimulation Therapy and is recommended for those with mild to moderate dementia.

‘We keep things really lighthearted, and there’s a lot of humour,’ said Julia.

‘People say they love the social aspect. This might be one of the only things someone goes to on their own during the week, so it means they retain a bit of independence for themselves, and it offers a break for spouses or carers.’

During the warmer summer months, the group will visit a farm, geared up to welcome people with dementia, for gentle exercise and the benefits of being outdoors in nature.

‘The types of activities we do won’t make dementia go away, but they do help to maintain a level of memory and stimulate the brain,’ said Turning the Cogs development officer, Lorraine Clark.

‘The idea is that people can join in as much or as little as they like and have some fun.’

A precious part of the morning is the conversation that flows out of chats between people coming to the sessions and the volunteers.

At the moment there are just about  enough volunteers to maintain a good ratio, but Turning the Cogs, which also runs sessions in Saltash, plans to expand to other towns, including Looe.

The charity is desperate to recruit more volunteers, says Julia; the commitment can be around three hours each week, or people can join a bank of volunteers who are called upon as and when needed.

Turning the Cogs has recently received funding of £4,400 from Santander Bank and this will be used to purchase virtual reality headsets.

Lorraine and Julia are excited about the possibilities offered by the new equipment.

‘Using these sets is known to be relaxing and can stimulate the mind,’ said Lorraine.

‘I don’t think we’ll be sending people down helterskelters - there are things like under the sea, and birds.

‘The equipment will also enable staff and volunteers to experience some of the symptoms of visual disturbance that can be experienced by those with dementia.’

As part of the national Dementia Action Week, Turning the Cogs has been out and about in Liskeard and Looe to raise awareness and answer any questions or concerns people might have about the condition.