18th August 2022

Work is getting underway at Alzheimer's Support's new day club premises in Salisbury.

The charity is renovating the building from empty offices to create a purpose designed day club and dementia centre that will be a hub for families affected by dementia in South Wiltshire.

Supporters have raised more than £50,000 towards the new centre, with more funds needed to complete the project. 

Community Fundraiser Rachel Fear said: "We have had fantastic support from businesses, organisations and individuals in the Salisbury area who know how badly the centre is needed. People have done challenge events and held cake sales for us - every penny counts and it is wonderful now to be properly starting work on the building at last."

Volunteers needed

The project team is looking for volunteers to help with first fix work, including preparing walls for plastering, and painting ceilings in the day club area. 

Rachel said: "We had a lovely team of volunteers from a local Masonic lodge, the Brothers in Arms. They were brilliant but there is still a lot of preparation work to be done. We'd be so grateful for anyone with some basic skills and time on their hands to help out one weekday. If they can bring their own paintbrushes and rollers so much the better!

If you can help please contact 01985 624005 or email Rachel 

How the new centre will help

There are more than 1,600 people living with dementia in Salisbury but, since 2019, no specialist day care. 

The new centre will contain a purposed designed day club where people can find friendship, stimulation and full day out in a supportive environment while their family carers have a break. It will also a one-stop dementia hub where families can get advice, practical support and understanding. Two experienced dementia advisers will be on hand and the teams that run the Alzheimer's Support's one-to-one Home Support and network of dementia activity groups will also be based there.

What they say

The immediate and really pressing need is for Day Care. On all sides we in Salisbury are hearing of the desperation of people living with dementia for warm, welcoming and meaningful activities which give them support and also provide the acutely needed respite for the family carers who are the unsung heroes of our community. Our Carers Champion Helen Dowse repeatedly speaks of the desperation she hears from families whose long term ability to cope is severely reduced without access to respite of any kind.

- Anne Trevett, chair, Safer and Supportive Salisbury

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