Photo caption: Tom Piotrowski, Diversity and Inclusion Manager at Platform (left) and Kirsty Hughes, Dementia Meeting Centre Manager for Age UK (right)
A retirement home in Worcestershire has launched a Dementia Meeting Centre, where they can participate in activities, enjoy refreshments and receive support.
Chantry House, a retirement home in Worcester run by Platform Housing Group – one of the largest social housing landlords in the UK – has become a venue for a Dementia Meeting Centre, bringing the total number of centres in Worcestershire to five. The centres are a great way for people with dementia to get support and socialise, and they also provide support to carers and help families adapt to living with dementia. Centre attendees can find:
- Informative discussion groups
- Practical & emotional support
- Friendship & companionship
- One-to-one and group support for people with dementia & family/carers
- Singing, music, films & games
- Crafting and painting
- Gentle exercise and walks
- Visits to places of interest
- Refreshments
The centres are run by Age UK, who partnered with Platform to organise the centres following their successful introduction by the Association for Dementia Studies.
The centres are funded by Worcester University and the National Lottery and cost £25 a day to attend. The cost for eligible Platform customers is covered by Platform’s ‘Wellbeing Fund’; customers should visit www.platformhg.com/wellbeing-fund for more information.
The centre at Chantry House was opened on 13th January, and has been a fantastic success. Louise Lee, Housing and Dementia Research Consortium member, said:
“Platform Housing has developed its Dementia Friendly Strategy so that we can respond to the need and prevalence of Dementia within our society and also in our local communities where we provide housing. We are proactive about our approach to Dementia and as a result we work with a wide range of local partners including Age UK and Association for Dementia Studies based here in Worcester to provide the best possible support to families and individuals who experience Dementia. There are a lot of myths around this condition and we want to dispel some of them while encouraging everyone interested in the kind of support that Meeting Centres offer, so come to the opening of our the newest centres at Chantry House on Jan 13th.”
For more information about the Dementia Meeting Centre at Chantry House please contact Age UK on 01905 724294 or via info@ageukwmh.org.
To find out about Platform’s Dementia Friendly Strategy please contact Tom Piotrowski via Tom.Piotrowski@platformhg.com.