New dementia hub in west Berkshire to be a 'beacon of hope'
Charity say they hope it'll be open in 2028
A new charity has been set up to construct a new building dedicated to transforming dementia care and support for people living with dementia and their families and carers in West Berkshire.
West Berkshire Dementia Hub, which is partnering with the NHS, Age Concern Newbury and District, West Berkshire Council and local charities, will be running services from the new centre.
The building is due to open in 2028 and will be situated near to west Berkshire community hospital at Thatcham.
The hub, which is designed to be a modern and versatile dementia friendly space at a stakeholder event recently at Shaw House by HNW Architects.
West Berkshire Dementia Hub Project Lead James Wilcox, said:
“We will transform local dementia care and support by creating a ground-breaking education and information hub fit for purpose going into the 2030s. We have the full support of the stakeholders and the dementia community, and we will make this happen together.
"It's inspired by some great examples from around the country, but it's taking that model and taking it further, we can't change the whole world but we can change our little bit of it in west Berkshire and we hope what we're building and developing will be a beacon of hope.
"It's about providing the opportunity to live well with dementia breaking down stigma and doing it in a very life enhancing and positive way and that's very often not people's experience."
It’s estimated that, over the next five years, the number of dementia cases in West Berkshire will rise by 50% – to over 3,000 people.
Greeenham Trust is supporting the project, their Head of Grants Rob Daniels said:
“The creation of this new charity marks not just the next step, but the turning point, in our community’s response to dementia.”
The team has already secured over ÂŁ1m in matched funding for the project, which is inspired by the Sage House model in West Sussex, to help attract further grants and donations when the public fundraising campaign is launched.
Inside the purpose designed building will be the NHS managed Memory Assessment Service, a Technology Zone, respite activities, a one-to-one Wayfinding service, charity partner spaces, therapy spaces and at its heart a welcoming community café.
Beth Britton MBE, who cared for her father with vascular dementia for 19 years and has been campaigning nationally for better dementia care support, said the Hub was exactly the kind of proactive model of care which empowers those with dementia and their carers to look forward to life.
She said you can have a positive life and live well with dementia, adding: “It is the difference between enduring life with dementia and enjoying quality of life with dementia. We have the chance to make West Berkshire Dementia Hub ground-breaking, dare I say even award winning.”