Exciting Magic table for Woodland Vale Care Home

Exciting New Magic Table for residents at Woodland Vale Care Home in Torrington assisted by a Rotary District Grant

Woodland Vale Care Home in Torrington has reached the target of £10,000 to purchase a specialist 'magic table' for dementia sufferers which through overhead projection methods responds and changes to the movement of the people using it. By touching this table with their hand, paintbrushes, wands etc, users are able to transform the display. One has to see it to believe the marvels that the actions produce!

Woodland Vale specialises in providing a meaningful and safe living experience for people, age 65 and over, who suffer from varying stages of dementia, and this piece of special equipment will greatly enhance the lives of these residents and for the extensive numbers who regularly (covid-19 permitting) have access to the day centre facilities at this care home.

The fundraising actively started in October 2019 by Woodland Vale staff but they clearly recognised raising this large sum would need outside help. It was then that Care Manager Becky Stone, a member of the new Bideford Tarka Rotary Club, discussed gaining additional support for this challenge.

Over Christmas 2019 Woodland Vale raised funds through various local events and initial support using the Rotary Megadraw Raffle opportunity. Then the fundraising status was brought back to the Bideford Tarka Rotary Club when Woodland Vale friends and families had raised £6,000 out of the total amount needed of £10,136.

The support then gathered amazing momentum with a number of local Rotary Clubs agreeing to donate recognising that North Devon area dementia sufferers could benefit from the day visitor services provided at Woodland Vale. Rtn Bernie Wragge-Morley of Bideford Tarka Rotary Club  prepared an application for a Rotary District Grant in liaison with Rtn Euan Eddie from Bideford Bridge Rotary Club, ultimately resulting in a grant of £800 from the main Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.

What was so crucial for this grant application was the substantial support given by the Rotary Clubs of Torrington, Barnstaple/Barnstaple Link joint Charity Shop, in addition to the Bideford Tarka and Bideford Bridge Rotary Clubs totally raising some £3,000. And there has been additional support from other sources to achieve the total.

This is a remarkable success story with Woodland Vale's Becky Stone confirming that the ‘Magic Table’ was delivered to Woodland Vale on 2nd December 2020 and is already proving a great success.