What we do
We are voluntary organisation, working to change the way communities in the Alton area think talk and act about dementia.
Our Meeting Centre at Alton is part of the Dementia-friendly Hampshire Network of Meeting Centres
Please do pop in for a chat and a cuppa, 10am - 4pm from Monday to Friday
We are very excited to be the flagship involved in the development of the first Meeting Centre for Hampshire. Joining with a network of over 40 other Meeting Centres across the UK, Dementia-friendly Alton works collaboratively with Altonian Care, Home Instead, Bluebird Care and other health care providers. We host a variety of interactive social sessions across the week at our new venue, the Alton Assembly Rooms, Alton High Street. In addition to this there is the Meeting Centre at Home initiative, which will provides home visits and / or zoom links to prospective and current members when they unable to attend the Alton Meeting Centre. A range of outdoor and gardening sessions is also provided in collaboration with Alton Town Council and Alice Holt Forest.
What is a Meeting Centre? - The Essential Features of a Meeting Centre
Meeting Centre Club - Hosting regular events attended by our current members for nearly eleven years. Members are able to pick and choose what they would like to attend. We have some members who attend our sessions as much as five days a week.
We are all in the Centre together - The ethos of the Centre is to provide a warm, friendly and inclusive space within the community.
Adjusting to Change - We extend practical, emotional and support adjustments for people living with dementia and their carers.
We are very lucky to have a number of wonderful, committed volunteers who support our sessions throughout the week. They all fit very well within the friendly and supportive atmosphere that we aim to provide. We are always looking for more volunteers - so please do contact us if you'd like to know more / join us - we would love to hear from you.
Meeting Centre Team - The Meeting Centre is managed by a well prepared team, consisting of Sarah Gardner (Meeting Centre Manager), Anne Mattock (Committee Secretary), Lyn Baines (Membership Secretary), Hilary Hughes (Public Relations and Administration), Debbie Parr (Risk Management and Arts / Creative Lead), Geoff Goodall (Horticultural Lead) and a small and consistent team of Activities staff seconded by Altonian Care and Home Instead.
Focus on people living with dementia as well as the needs of the carer - Members and their carers are involved at all times in the development of the Programme of Activities, that are all evidence based and include: Music therapy, Love to Move, Cognitive Stimulation Therapy, Horticultural Therapy, 1-2-1 support, Physical Activites and of course Time for Tea & Chat.
Dementia Friendly Venue - Our new venue, the Alton Assembly Rooms provides us with a variety of comfortable, 'homely' meeting and activity spaces suitable for both seated and physical activities.
Community Engagement is clearly evident in the 'fabric' of how the Alton Meeting Centre is run - as a collaboration between Dementia-friendly Alton and other community organisations. The high level of community engagement evident within Dementia-friendly Alton, was one of the reasons the group received the Queens Award for Voluntary Service in 2022.
A Community of Learning - Dementia-friendly Alton has always welcomed visitors and shared information relating to good practice. In addition to this we welcome a range of health and social care students for placements / work experience. Other college students also attend for work experience, as part of raising awareness of dementia and how to provide effective support.
As part of the UK wide Meeting Centre network - Dementia-friendly Alton provides a minimal data set for evaluation by the Association for Dementia Studies. In addition to this Dementia-friendly Alton evaluates and reports on many aspects of its provision, as an ongoing part of feedback for a range of grant providers.
WELLBEING FOR ALL IS FUNDAMENTAL TO THE CENTRE
CONNECT - Peer support for those living with dementia and their carers through a range of sessions and activities. Connections with the wider community as part of our CENTRE FOR HEALTH AND WELLBEING - as the central location for Health on the High Street and a venue for local organisations such as A31 - Primary Care Network, Alton U3A, Alton Climate Action Network and the Foresters Friendly Society - our members maintain great involvement and connections across their community. The newly launched CARER SUPPORT Programme will continue to develop in partnership with Carers themselves.
BE ACTIVE - The extensive range of physical activities available within the weekly programme (see Home page) for Dementia-friendly Alton as well as the sessions for carers and the wider community demonstrates a commitment to health and wellbeing for all. In addtion to in house activities, the Centre hosts sessions for Art-V-Motion Dance School, Phoebe Barrow (Pilates) and Kate Sadler of Hampshire dance Fitness (Zumba).
TAKE NOTICE of yourself and your surroundings - Our Flourish in the Forest and Nurture Programmes celebrate an innovative partnership with ALICE HOLT FOREST that enables those living with dementia and their carers to immerse themslevs in the forest to fully appreciate what matters to them and to feel empowered by what they CAN DO.
KEEP LEARNING AND BE CREATIVE - With a wealth of creative and challenging activities and opportunities at Alton Assembly Rooms, our members and visitors alike can 'fine tune' and develop their skills and knowledge, whilst trying out new things in a supportive and nuturing enviroment. In addition to weekly Arts and Craft group, partnership working with Alton Art Society, Alton Operatic & Dramatic Society, Alton Arts Festival, Creating Crafts & Blooms and work experience opportunities for Treloar College enables our members to be recognised as creative within their own community.
GIVE - by VOLUNTEERING at Dementia-friendly Alton or at the Alton Assembly Rooms itself (Friends of Alton Assembly Rooms). Volunteer your time and skills to be part of this special Centre for Health and Wellbeing. Helping a vital cause whilst linking you to the wider community will be incredibly rewarding for you as you create positive connections with the people around you.
Register with the Alton Meeting Centre
If you would like to find out more about the Alton Meeting Centre and / or refer a new member to it - please pop in from 10 - 4 from Monday to Friday or contact our Meeting Centre Manager, as follows:
Call 01420 551455 or email dementia_friends@btinternet.com
After a visit and a 'cuppa and chat' - you can register to become a member and enjoy all the benefits - its FREE to join - click on link below to download registration form for more information (Hard copies available at the venue)