Our Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) programme is designed to help people with mild to moderate dementia improve their memory and thinking skills and, at the same time, offer some support to their carers. Our CST sessions are relaxed, fun and create opportunities for participants to learn, express their views and work with others in a sociable setting. [1]

Our CST programme follows National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guideline [NG97] for Dementia. Assessment, management and support for people living with dementia and their carers recommend that group cognitive stimulation therapy is offered to people living with mild to moderate dementia. It is the only non-drug treatment recommended by NICE. 

Our CST Team:

We worked with Professor Aimee Spector[2] to develop our CST service, with our team of staff and volunteers receiving specialised training.

Typical day:

Participants will work through a series of structured, themed activities over seven weeks. Although the structure of the sessions will remain consistent throughout the programme, the topics will change. Example topics could include food, music, childhood, and travel.

An example programme:

• Week one: physical games and sounds
• Week two: childhood and food
• Week three: current affairs and faces/scenes
• Week four: word association and being creative
• Week five: categorising objects and orientation
• Week six: using money and number games
• Week seven: word games and team quiz

Who can attend:

Anyone experiencing mild to moderate memory loss and dementia who can commit to attending 14 sessions over 7 weeks (one day a week).

Opening times:  

Groups of between 5 and 8 people will join us for two one hour sessions, and lunch over the course of one day a week over a seven week period.

• 11.30am, CST session one (different theme each session)
• 12.30pm, Lunch
• 1.30pm, CST session two (different theme each session)

Fees:

Seven-week programme which includes two one hour sessions and lunch once a week.

£40 to be paid weekly.

How to find us?

Westbank is located in Exminster with views overlooking the Exe Estuary. It is easily accessed by the No.2 Stagecoach service from Exeter Bus Station to Reddaway Drive. It is a short drive from Exeter, surrounding villages and the M5.

Visit us:

We encourage you to visit us to see what we have to offer; we can also offer taster sessions for some of our activities.

When booking any session, we have the option to work with you or your family member on a phased introduction.

Transport:

You will need to arrange transport to and from Westbank, Farm House Rise, Exminster. Or, if available, we may be able to arrange for a driver to bring you to and from Westbank, charge from £5.

How to book:

You can book a place on our CST programme direct with our Team or referrals can be accepted from health care practitioners. We will arrange an initial assessment meeting to discuss the programme in more detail and ensure it is the right session for you or your family members needs.

For more information, to arrange a visit or book, please contact the team on t: 01392 824752 or e: [email protected] 

[1] https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/cognitive-stimulation-therapy-cst-summary-of-evidence-on-cost-effectiveness

[2] Aimee Spector, Professor of Old Age Clinical Psychology, Department of Clinical, Educational & Health Psychology, University College London www.ucl.ac.uk/international-cognitive-stimulation-therapy.  Lead researcher in this area e.g. British Journal of Psychiatry (2003), 183, 248-254 Efficacy of an evidence-based cognitive stimulation therapy programme for people with dementia Randomised controlled trial. Spector, Thorgrimsen, Woods, Royan, Davies, Butterworth & Orrell