Purbeck Forget Me Not

Purbeck Forget Me Not meeting centre is a social club providing the opportunity for activities and support to adapt and adjust to the physical, social and psychological changes that dementia brings.

It is a collaborative community venture working across services from Dorset Healthcare, Dorset Council, the Alzheimers Society, AgeUK, Swanage and District Dementia Friendly Community and Dementia Friendly Purbeck Group.

You can contact the group on 01929 557023.

What is a meeting centre?

Meeting centres bring together people living with dementia, their family members and carers, volunteers and professionals in a warm and social space. They are held in community venues where people can have fun, (chat and support each other. Members can access help and support to match their individual needs. There is a flexible programme for everyone to enjoy, including a whole range of activities designed to help people adapt to the challenges that living with Dementia can bring.

What goes on in a meeting centre?

All activities are designed to help people adapt to the challenges that living with dementia can bring. This involves a chance to get together socially, to be creative, to get active and to share lunch. Everyone brings their skills and talents to the meeting centre and the programme is driven by what members want to do. People attend as little or as often as they need.

Adjusting to change

Meeting centres offer support for people as they make adjustments to their lives after a dementia diagnosis.

The meeting centre framework includes support for:

• adjusting to cognitive impairments by improving understanding of changing symptoms and how to deal with them
• emotional adjustments by working together to prepare for the uncertainty ahead
• adjusting socially by nurturing good contacts with family, friends, the community and professionals that can all provide support going forward.

Who can benefit?

Evidence shows that people who attend the meeting centres experience greater feelings of happiness and feel more supported within their community.

Come along to find out more (meetings currently postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic)

Location: Wareham Hospital

Day: Every Monday

Time:10.30am-1.30pm

Explore the service

Dementia