It’s great fun, we do a lot of laughing and it’s wonderful to have them go “oh” which is interpreted as “Oh, Heather’s here”! 

I stumbled across The Vicarage just by chance. The first thing I noticed right away was how much more personal I could be with each resident. There was no rush. I was able to actually build relationships with each of them.

I worked in nursing homes which were institutional and I always thought the way care was done was that way. We were quick at doing things, we didn’t have the one-on-one time.

I had no experience with dementia care, I have a lot of empathy, but I really didn’t know exactly how this was going to go. But I have grown into the job. I enjoy the residents. I enjoy getting them to smile.

People are able to get up and move around as they want. So, no one is here anchored to their chair having to stay and endure a session if it’s not where they’re at. It’s more just like being in someone’s home, like being in someone’s living room.

I use my hands more teaching here than I do in a regular yoga class, because a lot of communication happens through touch. And it’s often a hand on the shoulder or a hand on the knee and can you move in this direction.

The beauty of the place and the freedom that everyone has to enjoy this place brings me joy and brings me I would almost say exhilaration. 

We go on outings, we do lunches, activities going to art galleries or museums, walking on beaches, the changing seasons, the flowers around here are absolutely stunning. And even during the winter we get out. We’ve built snowmen outside with the residents. To open the windows in the summer and smell the sea breeze or to walk down to the water and hear the waves. The stress is reduced as much as you can reduce stress.

I can see already that people are given so much respect and so much dignity for who they are as a whole person.

It makes me feel exceedingly joyful that I’ve accomplished something really good in a day.