People living with dementia locally are invited to make new friends and find a sense of purpose at Mill Street Club.
The national award-winning day centre in Trowbridge is open four days a week, offering companionship and a wide range of stimulating activities for people affected by any type of dementia. Members come from the Westbury area, as well as Trowbridge and Melksham.
Joan Berrett, who has attended the club for two years, says it is the highlight of her week.
She said, “I like it here. I enjoy the company. We are quite lucky – there are no miserable people here. We care about each other. Why sit at home on your own? When I come here, I’ve got other people I can talk to who are my age, which is nice.
“If I see anyone who is struggling a bit, I try to help and be friendly. I’ve made some good friends here and we look out for each other. I’d say to anyone to come along and have a go.”
Joan, who worked for many years at Bowyers in Trowbridge, has always been very social. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, she used to be out most evenings, at bingo, darts and with friends, so she found being alone very difficult. Her memory was already starting to let her down and the isolation of lockdown made everything worse.
When the lockdowns lifted, Joan’s family noticed the difference in their mother and grandmother, and encouraged her to go for memory tests. This led to a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s dementia, and a conversation with Alzheimer’s Support dementia adviser Chris Maple.
Joan’s daughter Julie Banford said, “He was brilliant. He gave us lots of pamphlets and advice about things to do and what might help. It was amazing. My mum was never in before lockdown and now she was able to start going out again.
“The club has been brilliant in helping her get back to herself. We really notice the difference when Joan has had a day in Mill Street. She is much more talkative, more keen to be included, just more engaged generally. It is great stimulation for her.
“It is also so helpful for me too. I care for mum though we don’t live together, but you do worry and she is precious to me. Bringing Joan here is so reassuring because I know she is going to be well looked after and that she is going to be happy. The staff here always discuss with me how she is and how she has been that day. They are very caring.”
Alzheimer’s Support runs day clubs in Trowbridge, Devizes, Warminster and Salisbury. Call 01225 776481 or www.alzheimerswiltshire.org.uk for more details about how the charity supports people living with all types of dementia in Wiltshire.
