Royal Victoria Hospital Meeting Centre

18/03/2026

The Clubbie Meeting Centre – Spring Week Highlights! 🌼

What a wonderful week we’ve had at The Clubbie, celebrating Spring and International Women’s Day!
Our members took part in a variety of uplifting and engaging activities from a music quiz and conversation group to Boccia, dominoes, and even an adaptive cycling talk and try session. The energy, laughter, and teamwork throughout the week were brilliant to see!

These sessions brought so many positive moments - boosting confidence, sparking conversation, encouraging gentle physical activity, and reminding everyone that staying active and connected is possible and enjoyable at every stage. It was heart-warming to see friendships grow and smiles all around as members supported one another and celebrated small victories together.

Thank you to everyone who joined in and helped make this week so special. Here’s to more fun, friendship, and new experiences at The Clubbie! 🌻

16/03/2026

Members at The Clubbie Meeting Centre are getting involved in the Climate Wisdom Project, showing that people living with dementia can play a role in caring for the environment.

Climate Wisdom is 5 year partnership project, between Outside The Box Development, Heriot Watt University, University of York and Stockholm Environment Institute, the first of it's kind where people living with dementia and families are demonstrating the contributions and value they can bring to climate change. Discussions that older people are too often left out of as a report by Heriot Watt Researchers found in Healthy Ageing In a Changing Climate.

Recently the members have been preparing their greenhouse, planting herbs and edible flowers, and transplanting daffodils into recycled pots decorated by members.

They’ve also started a community blanket, reusing wool from old knitted items, inspired by memories of “make do and mend”.

In April, the group will host a Daffodil Tea to share their Climate Wisdom activities with families, staff and visitors.

Shared Wisdom, Small actions, Shared together, Make a big difference.

13/02/2026

13/02/2026

January began quietly, but momentum began to build quickly again across the wards. Referrals are increasing, and while we’ve faced a couple of challenges supporting individuals to attend, the overall engagement and energy within the group has been encouraging.

A huge amount of respect going out to Centre Manager, Fiona Barrett team members, Pam & Janis and all the volunteers for working across some tricky systems and pushing forward in this Test of Change project for Meeting Centres to bring both clinical and social models of care together for the benefit of the people they are supporting.

Here are the key highlights, in numbers, from January 2026:

* 11 referrals received
* 2 referrals did not attend
* 1 referral where physical needs could not be met
* 4 members discharged home
* 1 discharged to respite
* 1 discharged to a care home
* 17 total members (including 5 community members)
* 51 attendances across the month
Behind every number here is a story of connection, encouragement, and progress.

January was full of meaningful, therapeutic and joyful moments. Members took part in:
* Daily horoscope readings
* Taking down Christmas decorations together
* Reminiscence sessions about New Year traditions and home cooking
* Planning our upcoming Clubbie Cookbook
* A fiercely competitive domino league
* Physical games: bowling, bean bag bullseye, parachute games and balloon tennis
* Cognitive activities: alphabet challenges, “Who Am I?” music quizzes, Scottish and Burns-themed quizzes, word searches and local dialect sessions
* Burns Day preparations including poems, songs and a mini Burns Supper celebration
* A special visit from therapy owls
* Poetry reading and shared turn-taking sessions
* Weekly communication group sessions with Speech & Language Therapy
* Early discussions around spring planting and potential involvement in a climate-focused community project
The balance of physical activity, cognitive stimulation, reminiscence, creativity and conversation continues to support both wellbeing and confidence.

One of the most powerful outcomes this month is about re-connection.
We saw members:
* Return after the festive break expressing how much they had missed attending
* Move from initial low mood or agitation to actively participating and smiling
* Support one another during games and group tasks
* Demonstrate improved communication through shared reading and structured conversation
* Re-engage with music from their past, sparking memory recall and storytelling
* Build confidence through friendly competition and shared achievement
In some cases, members arrived feeling sore, distracted or worried — yet chose to attend and found that participating helped shift their focus and mood. Even small wins, like answering confidently in a quiz or helping another member during a game, had visible positive effects.

All of this reinforces themes such as:
* Routine matters. Many members expressed how much they had missed attending over the holidays.
* Purposeful activity supports cognition and mood.
* Reminiscence and music remain powerful therapeutic tools.
* Peer connection reduces isolation and builds confidence.
* Even on difficult days, gentle encouragement to attend can make a difference.
While January started slowly, it closed with growing engagement, strong attendance, and clear evidence of impact.
We’re also looking forward to sharing further insight into outcomes and learning, so please look out for the upcoming interim report from the University of Worcester, which will provide independent evaluation findings and emerging impact data. There is joy in reading it

Thank you to the ward teams and our partners who continue to support this work, only with us all working together can these outcomes possible.

31/01/2026

Huge thank you to Karen, Community Champion at Myrekirk Asda Store for the very generous donation to the Clubbie of food items , craft materials and seeds...members are already excited about getting into the greenhouse to plant the seeds ...watch out for progress reports!

15/01/2026

A new Meeting Centre is coming to Time DD5, Broughty Ferry and Gymology vision.

We’re delighted to be working with Time DD5 Café and local community to co-develop a new Meeting Centre, the first of hopefully more to come that will strengthen and complement community dementia support in Dundee.

Initially opening one day per week, this Meeting Centre will continue the supported, familiar approach people and families have experienced during their time at the Royal Victoria Hospital Meeting Centre, The Clubbie offering continuity after discharge rather than starting from the beginning. By carrying the same ethos and values into a welcoming community café space, people living with dementia and their families can stay connected, supported and confident as they return home.

This new social club will be a place for families to meet others with shared experiences, build friendships, access trusted advice and enjoy meaningful activities, all in an everyday, non-clinical setting over a cuppie.

Looking ahead, we are excited to champion Gymology, led by rehab specialist, Valerie Duguid who as well as being the Director of Bentley’s Home Care and owner of Time DD5 aims to open a specialist community gym for people living with long term health conditions and terminal diagnoses. Over time, this creates exciting possibilities for Meeting Centre members too, supporting physical health and wellbeing alongside social connection and peer support so that people to stay fit, active, engaged and independent for longer within a trusted, familiar network of support.

We invite people living with dementia, families, professionals, interested volunteers, community leaders and local businesses to join our community workshop and help design a Meeting Centre that truly reflects local needs and interests.

Get in touch with Time DD5 to book a place to attend.

A new Meeting Centre is coming to Time DD5, Broughty Ferry and Gymology vision.

We’re delighted to be working with Time DD5 Café and local community to co-develop a new Meeting Centre, the first of hopefully more to come that will strengthen and complement community dementia support in Dundee.

Initially opening one day per week, this Meeting Centre will continue the supported, familiar approach people and families have experienced during their time at the Royal Victoria Hospital, offering continuity after discharge rather than starting from the beginning. By carrying the same ethos and values into a welcoming community café space, people living with dementia and their families can stay connected, supported and confident as they return home.

This new social club will be a place for families to meet others with shared experiences, build friendships, access trusted advice and enjoy meaningful activities, all in an everyday, non-clinical setting over a cuppie.

Looking ahead, we are excited to champion Gymology, led by rehab specialist, Valerie Duguid who as well as being the Director of Bentley’s Home Care and owner of Time DD5 aims to open a specialist community gym for people living with long term health conditions and terminal diagnoses. Over time, this creates exciting possibilities for Meeting Centre members too, supporting physical health and wellbeing alongside social connection and peer support so that people to stay fit, active, engaged and independent for longer within a trusted, familiar network of support.

We invite people living with dementia, families, professionals, interested volunteers, community leaders and local businesses to join our community workshop and help design a Meeting Centre that truly reflects local needs and interests.

Get in touch with Time DD5 to book a place to attend.

22/12/2025

December has proved to be every bit as busy and productive at the Clubbie as November ! No sooner had we opened our first door on the Advent Calendar than the festivities got under way.

We had a beautiful and musical start to the month welcoming Dundee choir Total Recall and local guitarist/singer Michael into the Clubbie. We had two amazing mornings listening to and joining in with festive and non-festive songs and enjoying tea and chat with our new friends …the singing and music was so good that we noticed an unusually large number of hospital staff just “happening to be walking by “ and also enjoying the musical mornings!

Our Doggy Bingo “provider” Webb, the labrador came back to visit us this time bringing us Doggy Yoga – yes that is a thing. Webbs’ lovely human Imke baked us delicious Dutch and Finish Christmas biscuits …they didn’t last long I can tell you ! We all had great fun and enjoyed some much-needed exercise after all the biscuits and Advent Calendar surprises.

Members have decorated and then built a beautiful Gingerbread House, which was centre piece of our Christmas party buffet table. They have been busy making Christmas decorations of all shaped and sizes including a wooden snowman village and keeping active with lots of games including Christmas Croquet ….again who knew there was such a thing …is there no end to Pam and Janice’s inventiveness?

We enjoyed our first intergenerational session with some young people from Craigowl Primary School. Reindeer Antler hoopla and Christmas tin can alley games along with festive music and singing, hit the spot for young and old alike and we look forward to seeing them all again in the New Year.

And of course, we all enjoyed our Christmas party , full of quizzes, games, music and jollity of all kinds with prizes for winning the pass the pudding Reindeer Antler hoopla. We all enjoyed a lovely buffet lunch and although Santa didn’t visit, we all went home with a lovely gift he delivered slightly early for us all.

We also hosted the evaluation team from the University of Worcester who took the time to speak to members, their families, Ward staff and AHP’s and the MC team over two days this month. Early indications show that the Meeting Centre is making a significant positive difference to those who come along , including reduction in psychiatric referrals and a reduction in drug prescribing which is truly amazing after running for just 5 months. So, a huge thank you to everyone who supports the Clubbie in some way …we are making such a positive difference to people living with cognitive impairment at RVH and we look forward to continuing to work with you all during 2026.

Merry Christmas everyone !

16/12/2025

Some great resources here for carers

🎄 Local Support Over Christmas 2025 🎄

While this time of year brings joy and celebration, for many unpaid carers and their families, it can also be a challenging and isolating time —especially when many vital services are closed.

At Carers of Dundee, we understand this, and that is why we’re bringing back our Local Support Over Christmas Resource, which has information on helplines, crisis contacts, and support services open during the holidays.

To explore, please visit: https://ow.ly/X3gr50XG9Yx

👉 If your organisation is open over Christmas or has a signposted service, email us at: communications@dundeecarerscentre.org.uk

16/12/2025

A little later as it’s such a busy time of year! A month of connection, creativity and community.

November was a wonderfully busy and heart-warming month at The Clubbie, and our photos truly tell the story. From firework picture-making and firework biscuits, to marking Remembrance Day by creating our own poppies, members were immersed in meaningful and creative activities throughout the month.

We were also delighted to welcome some very special visitors 🐾
Two beautiful therapy dogs joined us – a friendly black Labrador who is also a “doggy bingo specialist”, and a rare white Collie TheraPet. The joy, smiles and conversations they sparked were simply priceless.

💬 What People Are Saying -
The impact of The Clubbie continues to be felt far beyond our sessions:

Family feedback:
“It’s very clear how much she misses The Clubbie since discharge. Thank you for being so flexible so she can still attend.”

Staff & volunteer feedback:
“Members clearly benefit from the bigger group setting – engagement is noticeably higher when the group is larger.”

Ward & NHS colleagues:
“We’ve seen a big improvement in communication skills in members attending regularly.”
“There have been improvements across the board, including a reduction in prescribing.”

Members themselves:
“I just really enjoy coming here. I like the company and being occupied – and that’s what you get here.”

🌟 Highlights from the Month -
Throughout November, members:
Took part in crafts, games, chair yoga, storytelling, music and reminiscence
Shared memories of old Dundee, work, family life and hobbies

Built confidence, communication skills and friendships. Found comfort, routine and joy during what can be a difficult time in hospital

We saw members who:
Became more chatty and confident week by week

Re-discovered lifelong skills like sewing, knitting and storytelling

Found real emotional support through companionship, especially during periods of grief or uncertainty

Thrived simply by being part of a welcoming, inclusive group

Even on quieter or more challenging days, the Clubbie provided a safe, supportive space where members felt listened to, valued and included.

🤝 Working Together -
The Meeting Centre team would like to say a huge thank you to ward staff and students who continue to support members attending sessions, especially with portering. This collaboration allows members to enjoy longer, more meaningful time at The Clubbie.

Special thanks also go to ward activity coordinators and healthcare support staff whose ongoing partnership makes such a difference.

Thank you to everyone who supports, champions and believes in The Clubbie. Together, we’re creating a space where people can connect, engage and truly thrive 💙✨

29/11/2025

We are looking forward to being one of the Meeting Centres involved in this project. Can’t wait to see all the different themes that emerge from discussions with members and their families and how we can play our part in climate action

31/10/2025

Tin Can Ghosties… Genius! Looks like another frightfully ghoulish day connecting with witches and masked zombies at The Clubbie!

20/10/2025

It is with great sadness that we have to announce the passing of the Chairperson of Meeting Centres Scotland, Ron Coleman. Ron was born into a working class family in Dundee in 1958, and would go on to have an extraordinary career that would see him impact the lives of hundreds of people around the world.

Working in the world of mental health recovery and advocacy, Ron set up the Hearing Voices network, and with his wife Karen, would go on to fight for the rights of people with lived experience of mental health issues in all corners of the globe, including working in Palestine and with First Nations People in Australia.

Upon receiving a dementia diagnosis, Ron had a remarkable adjustment through a newfound passion for creative arts. First writing poetry to deal with his new diagnosis and then going on to write two critically lauded plays that professionally toured Scotland. This then led to establishment of the world’s first dementia arts festival, where all the art was created by people living with dementia. The successful 3rd festival just took place in Striling last month.

Ron was also one of the founders of Deepness Dementia Media, which runs an online radio station where all the DJ’s have a dementia diagnosis, and the remarkable 100/6000 conference, an event where anyone without dementia is told on day one to “zip it!” and just listen to what people with dementia have to say.

It was through the 100/6000 conference that Ron first became involved in Meeting Centres. When he heard about a person-centred social model of support, it immediately resonated with the rights-based approaches Ron had worked with his whole life. Ron went on to set up a Meeting Centre in Stornoway and he would be one of the key drivers for us establishing Meeting Centres Scotland as the national network.

Next month we will be touring a documentary featuring Ron around Scotland. “The Demented Poets” tells the story of Ron’s creative disruption in world of dementia, and the impact he has had on so many lives. Dates and locations of the first screenings will be announced later this week.

Ron’s passing leaves a huge hole in the world, and our love and thoughts go out to Karen and Ron’s children. His fire will continue to light everything we do at Meeting Centres Scotland.

Ron Coleman 8/06/1958 – 19/10/25

Trailer 1 for the full-length Meeting Centres Scotland documentary "The Demented Poets"