Dementia group in council cash boost

The Memory Lane group, based at Firs Gardens Community Centre in the town, has been awarded a £750 grant from the town council.

It follows a dementia-friendly revamp at Firs Gardens, the largest of 19 centres in Amber Valley run by housing association Futures Homescape, after it became home to the Memory Lane group, which was set up to support local people with dementia.

The mayor of Alfreton, Coun John Walker, attended a special event at the centre on 24th October to officially hand over the funding and see for himself the work the group does.

Diane Cliff from Age UK Derby and Derbyshire, said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive this funding.

“Since its launch, the Memory Lane group has made a huge difference to many people’s lives. Taking people with dementia on a journey into the past is an extremely effective way of stimulating their memory and we have seen this many times during sessions.

“It’s wonderful to see the town council recognise the value of this project to the community.”

As well as a cheque presentation from the mayor, the event saw residents from the nearby Morton Grange home attend and use the facilities .

Alison Thompson, support service team leader at Futures Homescape, said: “It is great to see the Memory Lane group continue to flourish and wonderful that the council has recognised just how important it is to people in the community who suffer from dementia.

“This is such a valuable initiative and we were delighted to be able to invite residents from Morton Grange to use the facilities at Firs Gardens.

“Firs Gardens Community Centre is for everyone in the community and we want to see more and more people use it and continue to set their own groups up there.”