AN ESSENTIAL service providing support for people living with dementia has been officially relaunched in Droitwich with a special event.
And it is hoped the revolutionary scheme will be rolled out across the county and country in the future.
The Droitwich Spa Meeting Centre, based at the town’s rugby club, offers a specialised programme for people with dementia including informative discussion groups, support with practical, emotional and social issues and regular one-to-one advice.
Members, trustees and staff gathered on Wednesday where Droitwich Spa Mayor Coun Shaun Best officially relaunched the service.
Organisers confirmed last year a new partnership with AgeUK Herefordshire and Worcestershire and that sufficient funding was in place to secure the service for a year on a full-time basis.
After a two-year partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society ended in August there were fears for the centre’s future but it continued to provide the service under the management of Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), a group formed by residents and carers.
CIO chairman Coun Alan Humphries said: “Its really encouraging to see such a positive turnout and it means a lot to have so much support from the community and other organisations.
“It has been hard work getting to where we are today and we are so pleased to have secured 12 months of funding with Age UK HW.
“Our plans moving forward are to secure more funding and to continue for as long as we possibly can.”
The revolutionary service, the first in the UK, has been delivered since September 2015 as part of an EU project entitled MeetingDem which included pilots in Poland and Italy and is successful in the Netherlands.
Philip Talbot, AgeUK Herefordshire and Worcestershire CEO, said the organisation was delighted to be delivering the programme.
“As an organisation we see dementia day in day out and have spent years finding ways to help people live well.
“We hope in time to develop this work across the two counties and the rest of the country.”
Held from 10.30am to 3.30pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, the sessions offer members a person-centred approach with various activities from crafts and animal therapy to reminiscing and zumba.
Lynne Mayes, whose husband of 56 years was diagnosed with vascular dementia, said: “It really is a lifeline for Jeff, he feels part of the community and is always smiling.
“He is with people in the same position as himself and the staff always make him feel important.”
Contact Coun Humphries at [email protected] for more information and how to donate and volunteer.
