18th December 2025
Howling winds and lashing rain batter Arnside Educational Institute but inside the only sound is of gentle chatter, laughter and the unmistakable tap of ping pong bats on balls.
Every other Wednesday morning, this community hall plays host to the Dignity in Dementia table tennis group. Around 30 people regularly attend: those with dementia, their partners and carers. Sessions officially start at 10.30am, but by just after 10 o’clock, the first players are already arriving, eager to get started.
The sessions, along with a regular dementia-friendly walking group, are funded by the Community Foundation, through the myLakeland Fund.
Dignity in Dementia Director Lesley Gill said: “We know that many individuals with dementia, as well as their family, experience overwhelming feelings of hopelessness and fear. They can quickly lose confidence and stop trying to participate in ways they have previously.
“People that come to our table tennis group get so many benefits from being here. There are the physical benefits of being active, and the benefits to their mental health of friendship and laughter.
“There’s evidence to suggest the more active you are, it can slow down the progression of dementia.”
Far-reaching impact
The impact of the sessions stretches beyond the individuals with dementia themselves.
Lesley explained: “Everybody that comes that has dementia is accompanied by somebody that doesn’t have dementia, and that’s become a support group amongst themselves. It’s really nice to see the husbands and wives forming friendships, having a cuppa together and being able to have a little bit of respite while our volunteers and staff and the people with dementia play together. We just have rallies; we don’t score, to keep it simple because otherwise it would get too complicated and confuse people.”
Peter, of Kendal, brings his wife Deborah, who has dementia, to the group. “Deborah really looks forward to it,” he said. “It’s something she enjoys doing and can do without the impediment of her dementia interfering with it. It’s also good for me – it’s always cheerful and a nice atmosphere – and it gives a structure to our week.”
The group is well attended, with people travelling from Windermere, Levens and Kendal, as well as the local area. When the weather is better, a group of residents from one of the nearby care homes walks round to join in.
Table tennis was chosen for its accessibility to those with limited mobility. Lesley explained how they convinced one man who walked using sticks to give it a go. “I said to him ‘Just come and have a cup of tea, you don’t need to play.’ But then he met Brenda, who’s our amazing volunteer, and she persuaded him up, and he said, ‘I never thought I’d be able to do this.’ And it’s just fantastic to see him smile and get a sense of satisfaction from something he didn’t think he could do.”
Spreading a bit of happiness
Jenny Connor, Dignity in Dementia Manager, explained how table tennis is a real leveler. “They leave their dementia behind when they get on the table,” she said. “When I first started working at Dignity in Dementia, I came to this group and I couldn’t tell who had dementia and who hadn’t. Everyone is just having fun together.”
Malcolm is one of the regulars at the group – one of several bereaved partners who continue to join Dignity in Dementia sessions after the death of their husband or wife. He summed up the sessions perfectly: “This is a group of people who get together to play ping pong and spread a bit of happiness, even on a miserable day like today.”