19th March 2020

Wiltshire charity Alzheimer’s Support is drawing up plans to contact hundreds of families by phone every week after closing day clubs and more than 40 community groups across Wiltshire because of Coronavirus.

Singing, exercise and art groups are among those that are on hold until after Easter. The charity’s team of support workers, who normally visit people in their own homes, are being diverted to telephone support. Its offices in Trowbridge, Devizes and Warminster will be closed to the public.

CEO Babs Harris said: “It is with a heavy heart that we do this. People living with dementia benefit so much from connecting with others in the uplifting environment of a social group or day club, and we know that families absolutely rely on our services. But with the increasing risk of Covid-19 infection it is the right thing to do.

“We will be keeping in touch with everyone by phone regularly, shopping for people and collecting prescriptions, and doing as much as we can to help people feel less isolated.”

The Wiltshire charity, which employs more than 160 people, says it will lose around £5,000 every week because of the shutdown.

Mrs Harris added: “As a local Wiltshire charity we rely on support from the community and now we need that support more than ever. It is likely that we will have to cancel some fundraising events in the months ahead but people can still donate online.”

To get help or advice from Alzheimer’s Support call 01225 776481.

Covid-19 advice and support for Wiltshire families

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