The PUNCHLINE Annual 2020

According to the University of Worcester, meeting centres were first developed in the Netherlands 25 years ago and there are now 150 such Dutch centres. “Dutch research, and recent UK research, demonstrates that meeting centres have positive outcomes for people living with dementia and for family carers,” Mr Hughes added. “Evidence shows people that attend experience better self-esteem, greater feeling of happiness and sense of belonging than those who don’t. “Those who attended more regularly showed fewer of the more distressing symptoms of dementia. Family carers also experience less burden and feel better able to cope.” The Lilian Faithful centre is open every Wednesday from 10am to 3.30pm at the Royal Gardens Day Hub in Cheltenham. People can attend as little or often as they need. The trained care team at Lilian Faithfull Care are there to help and will give all a warm and friendly welcome and a helping hand l If you would like to find out more, attend or refer someone to Lilian Faithfull Care support programme please call 01242 500 414 or email RGMC@lilianfaithfull.co.uk

“Lilian Faithfull Care is the leading charity care home in the county with specialist knowledge of dementia,” Mr Hughes added. “We recognise the effect of being told you have dementia has on people and their families and carers. “We want to support people through this journey and enable all to reconnect their personal relationships and build confidence out within the community.” The idea for specialist centres was first championed by University of Worcester research on behalf of The Association of Dementia Studies. They run a project to help establish new meeting centres in different parts of the UK to work with their communities to support people and families directly affected by dementia.

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