An Ealing-based charity helping those with dementia has received a five-figure sum from the National Lottery Community Fund.
Dementia Concern focuses on helping those diagnosed with dementia continue to live independently, as well as supporting their carers.
The National Lottery Community Fund distributes over £600million a year to communities across the UK and granted the charity £20,000 for transportation services to club events as well as specialist training.
Dementia Concern’s clubs manager Linda said: “This is fantastic news. Without our wonderful drivers, the members can’t access the clubs or the places we visit.
“The members all have a diagnosis of different types of dementia and live in various parts of a large borough, so they really need the transport.”
The charity runs six weekly clubs based in Acton, Greenford and Hanwell, with two mini bus services providing door-to-door pick ups, providing those with dementia a moment for socialising with friends.
All the drivers are trained in first aid and health and safety, and with this funding they will be able to undertake specialist training in managing behaviours and understanding the difficulties associated with dementia.
Driver Tom said: “It’s always good to see a smile on their face enjoying themselves and to know we the drivers are a part of that.
“I am happy to attend any other training provided as we never stop learning.”
The clubs provide those they help with a chance to make friends, and allowing those who suffer with mobility to have access to the same opportunities, removing dementia as a roadblock in their chance to be independent.
The charity has found ten minutes of social interaction improves the wellbeing of their members, meaning a ten-minute minibus ride has a profound impact.
One member said: “I love coming here because I can get out of the home and see other people”
The charity also provides support for those caring for people with dementia, with one carer explaining that despite her loved one not being someone who usually joins clubs, they now look forward to attending every week.
The clubs provide carers with a valuable moment of respite too, with Dementia Concern providing them with 16,683 hours of respite last year.
Another member said: “I don’t know what I would do without coming to see you, it has truly been a wonderful day.”
Dementia is the umbrella term used to describe a group of illnesses which impact a person’s thinking, memory and reasoning, and have a huge impact on a person’s ability to be independent and navigate daily life.
The charity provides its 2,446 members with weekly clubs, Safe at Home Workers, advisers and support groups for carers.
To contact Dementia Concern, call 020 8568 4448 or visit their website at www.dementiaconcern.co.uk.
Picture credit: Used with permission from Dementia Concern
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