Alive Activities, a local charity supporting older people, is pleased to announce the official opening of its newest Dementia Meeting Centre, at Bradley Stoke Evangelical Church.
The meeting centre is the first to open in South Gloucestershire and the third one for Alive, following on from the success of its two other meeting centres in North Somerset and Bristol.
The concept for meeting centres originated in The Netherlands, where they have been running successfully for around 20 years. Meeting centres have been proven to be an effective way of helping families adjust to the changes of living with dementia and leading an active life. Members receive support from friendly staff in welcoming community settings, where they can plan and take part in a range of activities. The centres provide support to both people living with dementia and their carers, through meaningful engagement and fun activities, through group activities and one-to-ones. They have been proven to provide much needed support and advice for those affected by dementia and improve their quality of life.
Winsome Barrett-Muir, who is managing the new South Gloucestershire meeting centre in Bradley Stoke, said:
“There is a lack of community-based support available for those with a recent diagnosis of dementia. The meeting centre is a unique concept where the person with dementia and their family are supported together. We support the person with dementia and their family to adjust to the changes that dementia brings, whether practical, emotional or social. The meeting centre concept is based on sound research and has been shown to improve life experience of those affected by dementia. We invite people to attend the meeting centre to see the effect for themselves.”
Alive are pleased to invite members of the public and professionals alike, including potential volunteers looking for opportunities to support this service, to join them as they officially open the South Gloucestershire meeting centre in Bradley Stoke. Alive’s other two meeting centres in North Somerset and Bristol, have been piloting since March and have already had plenty of positive feedback.
The daughter of one member commented:
“Thank you for giving me my mum back, it is so special to see her socialising, chatting and laughing with other people.”
The wife and primary care partner of another member shared that “meeting others (carers) in the same situation and knowing I am not alone and getting tips” has helped her immeasurably, while another member living with dementia said: “I have made new friends.”
Alive has spaces available at the South Gloucestershire meeting centre for older people who have been recently diagnosed with dementia or have mild to moderate symptoms of dementia, and their carers or family members.
The venue
Bradley Stoke Evangelical Church
Baileys Court Road
Bradley Stoke
Bristol
BS32 8BH
View a location map (Google Maps).
The venue is less than 5 minutes walk from the Great Meadow bus stops on Bradley Stoke Way (served by the T1 and M1 MetroBus).
Open days in August
The meeting centre is hosting two Open Days:
- Wednesday 17th August 2022, 10am-1pm
- Thursday 25th August 2022, 1-4pm
Following the Open Days, the meeting centre will open from Wednesday 7th September 2022, for two days each week (Wednesday and Thursday). People can choose to attend once or twice per week.
Taster sessions are available so that people can experience what the centre offers before they decide to join.
For more information on how to join the meeting centre, please call Winsome on 07377 197893 or email sglosmeetingcentre@aliveactivities.org
