The Carers’ Centre in Bath is asking for help from local residents to support its ongoing bid to expand its Dementia Café project, as part of a nationwide funding campaign.
The Aviva Community Fund is offering funding to inspirational local projects, voted for by the general public.
Until the 20th of November, you can register and vote for your favourite local project, one of which is the Dementia Café run by the Carers’ Centre.
There are over 20,000 carers in Bath & North East Somerset, looking after parents, partners, children or grandparents who can’t manage without their help.
People living with a diagnosis of dementia can be challenging to care for, with many carers feeling isolated and exhausted on top of coping with the decline of a loved one.
The Centre works with carers in B&NES and the Dementia Cafés allow them and those with dementia to get out of the house and spend time with others.
Those with dementia enjoy reminiscence activities whilst the carer, often for the first time in years, is able to take time for themselves, knowing their partner is enjoying themselves and is well looked after.
Senior Development Manager Janine Woodward-Grant said: “We have had carers attend being certain that they won’t be able to stay for the whole activity without checking on their loved one, only to find by the end of the session they have no idea where the time had gone.
“Each week we hear amazing stories from carers about how the café is helping them to make friends and feel more in control of their situation as well as providing valuable activities for the people they care for.
“In order provide 150 places at a Dementia Café we need £5,000 to fund the activities, staffing, volunteers and room rental.
“But the laughter and friendship that the carers and those with dementia gain is worth so much more. By voting for our project you will support these amazing carers and their loved ones with dementia.”
You can vote for the project here: https://www.avivacommunityfund.co.uk/voting/project/view/4-1617.
