A brand-new partnership based in Peasedown St John has made a groundbreaking ‘dementia-friendly’ sweet available to the general public for the very first time… for free!
Jelly Drops are an innovative sugar-free treat, made up of 95% water with added electrolytes and vitamins, designed to increase fluid intake. They are ideal for people living with dementia who may forget to drink enough water each day.
They were invented by Lewis Hornby, who was inspired by his late grandmother and her love for sweets. Lewis developed bright, raindrop-shaped sweets as an easy way to increase her daily water intake.
As part of Peasedown St John’s long-term campaign to create a dementia-friendly community, local charity the Peasedown Community Trust has teamed up with Bluebird Care – a national partner of ‘Jelly Drops’ – to make sure these groundbreaking sweets are now available locally.
From this month, Jelly Drops are available to collect from Peasedown Community Library.
Library Operations Manager, Cllr Karen Walker (Independent, Peasedown) said:
“We’re thrilled to be working with Bluebird Care to make these new, innovative Jelly Drop treats available to the public.
Dehydration is a common challenge for older people, particularly those living with dementia. Memory problems mean that people living with dementia can often forget to drink enough water. These treats are sugar-free, vegan and 95% water, so beneficial for hydration especially for people who struggle to intake enough water each day.”
Jelly Drops come in a range of bright, eye-catching colours and are presented in a uniquely designed transparent container, which help the sweets attract attention from people with dementia, who may otherwise forget about them.
Both the innovative packaging and the shape of the sweets themselves, allow them to be easily accessible, even for those who are less dexterous.
Cllr Gavin Heathcote (Independent, Peasedown) is Chairman of the Peasedown Community Trust. He added:
“Jelly Drops are difficult to get hold of in Bath & North East Somerset, so this new partnership means that this groundbreaking, and in some cases ‘life saving’, snack can now be collected for the first time locally at a public collection point.
Our whole team at the Peasedown Community Trust is delighted to be able to partner with Bluebird Care. The organisation priorities high quality care and support, especially for people living with dementia.”
Peasedown Community Library is located at The Hive Community Centre, Bath Road, Peasedown St John, BA2 8DH.
Opening hours are:
Mondays, 11 am – 3 pm
Wednesday, 2 pm – 4 pm
Saturdays, 10 am – 1 pm
Becci Streeter, Business Development and Relationships Manager for Bluebird Care B&NES, said:
“We’re pleased to be working with Peasedown’s local councillors and the team at the Peasedown Community Trust on this new initiative.
As a provider of specialised home and live-in care for people living with dementia, we’re always looking for new ways to raise awareness of the condition, and support those who have been diagnosed with it.
It was great to meet Karen and Gavin when I visited Peasedown Community Library last week. It’s inspiring to find out for myself what work they’re doing to create a dementia-friendly community.”
For more information Jelly Drops visit Peasedown Community Library, or email the Peasedown Community Trust at peasedowncommuntytrust@gmail.com
