Mary Derrick Registered Independent Occupational Therapist

04/01/2026

Looking forward to being part of the Wellness Connection Project through 2026 💚

Here’s our exciting news for 2025, introducing our ‘Wellness Connection’ Project’ - supporting across generations, people living with , & in the

Funded by The National Lottery Community Fund 🩷

In collaboration with Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, Matlock Farm Park, Derbyshire County Council, Mary Derrick Registered Independent Occupational Therapist, Robyn Hughes 🙌

Please spread the word Derbyshire Dales CVS Derbyshire Carers Association Alzheimer's Society 💙

24/11/2025

So true…

People often say,
“She just doesn’t want to do anything anymore.”
“He refuses every activity.”
“He’s not interested.”

When someone is living with dementia, activities can feel confusing, overwhelming, childish, or simply too fast.
Sometimes the room is too noisy.
Sometimes the task doesn’t make sense.
Sometimes the instructions come too quickly or they don’t recognise the object in front of them.
Sometimes they’re tired, hungry, frightened, or in pain…
and all the body can manage is “No.”

We make a mistake when we assume they’re choosing to do nothing.
Often they’re choosing safety.
Or they’re choosing the little bit of control they still have.
Or maybe they’re protecting themselves from feeling embarrassed.

And sometimes people have been conditioned over time to sit quietly with nothing to do.
If you’re offered nothing long enough, it becomes normal.
And then “not wanting anything” becomes a habit, not a preference.

A good activity meets the person where they already are.
Not where the timetable says they should be.

Have you seen someone “refuse” something… but later accept it when it was offered differently?
Share if you feel comfortable.

01/11/2025

Creating these with others as a therapeutic activity was spot on! 🎄

We are selling adorable, handmade little Xmas table top decorations 🎄 All Fundraising proceeds will support our future projects. Free local delivery in the Matlock area 🤶

27/10/2025

20/10/2025

Creating, considering, discussing, sharing, pushing, pulling, throwing, looking, finding, showing… it all goes on in meaningful, purposeful positive activity 😌

13/10/2025

Halloween! Re-share of my post last year. All I can say is, it ‘Requires Improvement’ in care homes across the land 😔

Any good examples out there of person centred, sensitive, inclusive and kind opportunities during the Halloween season in a care home environment 👀 ?

Halloween activities can easily provoke feelings of disorientation, fear, anxiety and distress for care home residents.

Halloween can pose specific difficulties for people living with a dementia. Disorientation, confusion, fear and anxiety can often become part of a person’s presentations, due to decorations, music and sound they hear within their environment.

08/09/2025

Always a pleasure to work within these supported volunteering sessions. September sunshine 🌞 And beautiful views across the Derbyshire Dales 💚

07/09/2025

Just a game of Jenga? No, no, no… An Occupational Therapist see’s so much more 👀 We see many skills exercised through this ‘Just Right’ activity 💚

*see comments to name but a few… what do you see?*

The Connection Space Community Interest Company

09/06/2025

💚🐝

26/05/2025

💚❤️💜🤍

21/02/2025

I cannot tell you how wonderful it is to use crafting as a creative therapeutic activity on this project. It’s a beautiful thing to be part of 💚

Our ‘Craft & Create’ sessions (part of the Wellness Connection Project) is going to benefit from additional funding from the 🥰

We were granted the money 👍🏼
Derbyshire Dales CVS
Mary Derrick Registered Independent Occupational Therapist
Derbyshire Wildlife Trust