Haydon Wick Parish Council is pleased to report that plans for the Haydon Wick Dementia Café have been progressing well.
The effects of isolation and loneliness are an increasing concern for everyone this year. The national COVID-19 regulations have meant that many dementia suffers and their carers have experienced heightened feelings of remoteness and separation. Looking to address these concerns, Haydon Wick Parish Council is delighted to announce that it has secured external funding from the National Lottery Community Fund to help finance the development and project delivery of a community Dementia Café
The additional external funding will be used towards the investment in a mobile state-of-the-art interactive sensory unit, which can be used within the Dementia Café setting, and will be shared with the wider community in local care homes. The award winning interactive equipment will enable participants to experience a greater opportunity for socialisation, mobilisation, emotional stability and so much more. It is hoped that this community resource will help enable increased communication and integration for what can be considered a traditionally marginalised section of the community.
A community consultation survey was run by the Parish Council towards the end of last year, and of those that participated, 79% of residents said they would like to see an increase in provisions for those suffering with dementia and isolation in our community. Councillor Ellen Baker Lee has this to say about the project:
“Now more than ever, we need to engage with those living with Alzheimer’s and dementia and their carer’s and loved ones. This Dementia Cafe is a great way of reaching out and including everyone in activities that they can enjoy and identify with. And the fact that it is mobile and can be moved from care home to care home means more residents can benefit from it.  As someone who has first-hand experience of the disease, I know that this will be of great benefit to the community”.
The Parish Council has been delighted to receive several volunteer applications to assist with the running of the Community Dementia Café. If you are reading this article and would like to get involved, please visit https://haydonwick.gov.uk/volunteer-opportunities/ to register your interest.
Haydon Wick Parish Council appreciates that 2020 was a challenging year for everyone because of the COVID-19 pandemic and changing priorities. Prudent management of budgets over the preceding years has stood us in good stead. In this coming financial year the key focus will be on consolidating our financial position. The Council remains optimistic for the future and seeks to support the whole of its community in meaningful and innovative ways.