Meet Paul

I'm Paul. I've lived in York for forty-five years. Six years ago, my wife Avril, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's dementia, and she also has anxiety disorder. I've suffered with depression and a few other health issues. The Primary Care team (social prescribers) introduced me to Elaine Harvey and Moving Minds, and from then, we've been attending regularly.

Elaine Harvey introduced us to the course, and over the next two years helped me come to terms with my wife’s Alzheimer’s.  The project has turned me back into a happy, positive person.  The health benefits have been amazing – I have lost weight, am no longer at risk of diabetes and am in a much stronger position to care for my wife. It's made an enormous difference to my mental health, and to my wife's ability to keep going.

Dementia is a growing problem worldwide and needs urgent support. My feelings about Moving Minds is that it should be rolled out across the UK. I don't know how that can be done, but I do think the team at Moving Minds should get an award for their work in mental health. I'm so impressed by what they've done for me and my wife.

Moving Minds classes are about movement, breathing, meditation - we use a range of props to encourage people to move. The choice of music is absolutely wonderful. I even go home now and find the same music to play at night, whilst we're getting ready for bed to help Avril relax.

The sessions have helped Avril to relax. We met at a New Year's Eve dance and she recognised that I enjoyed dancing too, although she's better at it than me. She gets such a thrill from dance and music - it's just wonderful for her.

Nothing else can match Moving Minds. I've joined three other singing groups since joining Moving Minds - this was the first, and it's the best. There's also tea and coffee afterwards which helps everyone mix together. We all feel part of a group after we've spent and hour and a half at Moving Minds, and I've got so many friends as a result of it.

The class in the most uplifting part of my week – nothing else can match it.  It gives carers the chance to feel part of a wider community, less isolated and more able to cope with the daily challenges.  Moving Minds should be very proud of its part in dementia care within the city.

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