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Welcome to Simon's CST Activities Blog

Introduction

Simon's CST Activities Blog (accessible at simondementia.co.uk) is a free and open-access online resource offering Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) activities for people with mild to moderate dementia. The site was created by Simon O’Donovan MBE, a retired Consultant Nurse from NHS Wales .

Key Features:

Extensive Activity Library: Over 250 themed activity pages featuring quizzes, reminiscing games, creative tasks, and more—all designed to promote cognition, engagement, and social connection .
Person-Centred Tools: Resources like the Snapshot Assessment and Getting to Know Me templates help tailor activities to individuals’ interests and abilities .
Educational Links: Provides links to valuable external learning resources, such as UCL’s The Many Faces of Dementia and SCIE’s Dementia E-learning Course .
Creative Arts Gallery: Showcases artwork and creative expressions by people with dementia, emphasizing the therapeutic impact of arts .
Online Accessibility & Vlog: For those unable to attend in-person sessions, there's a complementary YouTube channel (@simondementia) featuring CST vlogs aimed at people living with dementia at home .

Supported by:

Voluntary, non-profit initiative: The site relies on Ko-fi donations to cover running costs, including web hosting and content creation.
Strong community feedback: Many users, including facilitators and carers, have shared positive experiences of using Simon’s materials in sessions, both in person and online .

Reach and Impact

Recognition:

Included among the top UK dementia blogs in 2024 and 2025, as ranked by FeedSpot .

Listed in directories like Infoengine (a Welsh community services directory) and Dewis Cymru, which highlight the blog’s role in delivering CST and dementia support .

Performance Metrics (End-of-Year Report, 2024):

~13,000 site sessions
~21,800 post views
~6,200 unique visitors
~48 new free subscribers, with engagement up 131% over the year .

Quotes from users reflect appreciation and tangible impact:

“My young onset group enjoyed participating in this quiz. Thank you.”
“Absolutely brilliant, more and more people need to know about this!”

Bottom Line

simondementia.co.uk is a heartfelt, high-quality resource for people living with dementia, their carers, and dementia support professionals. It provides a rich and diverse library of CST activities, backed by professional experience, personal dedication, and community appreciation. Whether you're running a CST group or looking for creative, meaningful ways to support someone with dementia, Simon’s blog is a wonderful place to explore.