£200k+ Lottery Grant To Support People Affected By Dementia In Worthing

A six-figure National Lottery grant is coming to continue support for a project helping people affected by Dementia in and around Worthing.

Dementia Friendly Worthing and Abbeyfield Ferring Society said this morning (May 7) they were starting a 3-year project to support people living with dementia and their carers.

The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK, is supporting the dementia project with £222,104 for three years.

Jacqui Swindells, Chief Executive at Abbeyfield Ferring, a not-for-profit providing care services, will oversee the Worthing Dementia Hub and respite services.

She said:

'We're delighted to have been successful with this application.

"The funding will ensure the continuation, for three years, of Dementia Friendly Worthing's Co-ordinator and provide partial funding for a Stay Active and Social respite service.

"The money will help support isolated carers and people living with dementia in the Worthing area, and most importantly, set up a new Dementia Hub.

"The hub will consist of a shared space for carers and people living with dementia to drop in for advice, support, and services, and where professionals can hot desk.

"Premises in Goring High Street are currently under offer and we hope to open in early summer."

Chairman of Dementia Friendly Worthing Steering Group, Bob Smytherman added: 

"This funding will allow us to continue to work closely with our partners Abbeyfield Ferring and is vital to maintain the work of our valued Dementia Co-ordinator.

"Lynsey has been working throughout Covid to support local people,for  mainly through online events with carers, people living with dementia in the community and extending our work with schools especially, Our Lady of Sion school."

Helen Bushell from the National Lottery Community Fund, said:

"We are delighted to award Worthing Dementia Hub this funding, which will have a massive impact on the lives of people with dementia and their carers.

"Through the development of a Dementia Hub, local people will have improved access to important information, support and services that will help them in their day to day lives.

"Thanks to National Lottery players, organisations like this have played a vital role through the pandemic in helping people with dementia and their carers build connections and tackle feelings of isolation and loneliness."

The groups in Worthing said Covid-19 has had a huge impact on dementia services during the past twelve months and charities are yet to re-instate services before the lockdown is fully lifted.

The funding will provide signposting, information hubs in the community and work with other local dementia alliances.

There are also expected to be events such as bi-monthly dementia cafes and support for carers to help access small funds such as the carers wellbeing fund.

The hub will host the Worthing Town Cryers — a social action group made up of people living with dementia who are in the Worthing area.

It will also provide opportunities to work with GP surgeries, the dementia assessment and crisis team and the Dementia Matron.

The hub is intended to be open daily for anyone with dementia, their carer or family, with "hot desk" facilities which health and dementia-specific workers can use.

Dementia Friendly Worthing was formed in 2014 as a Dementia Forum.

The voluntary group said it helps people living with dementia and their carers, signposting them to appropriate services and offering all kinds of advice.

They've particularly placed much information on their website, and they have continued to work virtually throughout the pandemic to increase awareness, reduce stigma and social isolation.

Part of their work is to encourage local organisations, charities, businesses, and schools to participate in Dementia Friendly information sessions, which have been online over the past 12 months.

Abbeyfield Ferring is an independent not-for-profit registered society that aims to provide what it calls "very high standards of care" for older residents.

Their services include extra care living, residential care, help at home and community services.