challenges overcome for patients attending community hub
A social prescriber in Haverhill approached Alice Sim, VCFSE Engagement Lead at Community Action Suffolk in May asking for help.
They wanted to refer a number of patients into the Memories Are Golden community hub but were unable to as the centre required a piece of transfer aid equipment. Memories Are Golden specialises in offering day care services to individuals living with dementia and suffering from heart conditions, diabetes, and other long-term physical challenges.
Their Community Hub provides a safe space to socialise and build friendships, as well as providing meaningful activities, entertainment, a hot meal and social events, to improve well-being and reduce feelings of isolation. The hub is run by community carers and a cook.
This service also provides invaluable respite for carers, spreading the benefit out into the wider community. Without this piece of equipment these patients and their carers were unable to benefit from this amazing community support.
Through the health, social and voluntary sector network that Community Action Suffolk has developed, a connection was made to Mediquip, who offered to provide a refurbished piece of equipment for free. The engagement into a proactive network by Community Action Suffolk saved the community over £1,000 and the benefit to the patients can be measured in both reduction on reliance of carers, and improvement in their mental and physical health.
Offering an invaluable service into the community, they plan on moving to a new building at end of the year and can increase support for up to 25/30 people a day – which is a fantastic achievement!
Website https://memoriesaregolden.co.uk/
Enquiries to – Kelly Kennedy Smith, Community Hub Manager and Memories Are Golden trustee.