New Isle of Wight dementia hub set to open in Cowes

The Isle of Wight Council's Cabinet approved the 25-year lease of the Parklands site in Cowes, to be used to develop a dedicated space for Island services to work together to deliver dementia advice, support and training for Island residents.

The hub will be developed by the Alzheimer's
Café IW who will now begin a fundraising campaign to refurbish the premises, which will become a community base offering a meeting place, activities, training, support and advice for people and families living with dementia.

This news is welcomed ahead of Dementia Action Week (15 - 21 May) and also fulfils commitments in the Isle of Wight Dementia Strategy, which launched last May.

Welcoming the news Maggie Bennett, from the Alzheimer's Café Isle of Wight said: "We are thrilled that we will be able to work towards provide long term support through a dedicated community and wellbeing dementia hub.

"Through activities and support we will aim to ensure that mental and physical health is a priority for people with dementia in the local area, as well as making sure they will be able to access support and advice when they need it."

Last year, it was estimated 2,655 people over the age of 65 on the Island were living with dementia, which could increase to 3,920 by 2030 according to The Alzheimer Society.

Councillor Karl Love, Cabinet member for adult social care, said: “I have been in discussions with my staff about the development of this important service from the off. It is a positive step forward for our island community in developing the new dementia hub for our Island people. The council's dementia strategy aims to make a 'real difference' to Islanders with dementia, their families and supporters helping people to live full, independent, and active lives.

"Feedback received when the Dementia Strategy was being created, highlighted the desire for a dementia hub where people can go for support, information, activity sessions, company, stimulation and friendship. I am delighted that the hub has now been approved by Cabinet and will be providing much needed support for our island community.

"There have been many people involved in moving this forward and we would therefore like to thank our strategy partners, the Alzheimer's Café Isle of Wight and everyone that contributed and offered feedback, in particular our Island residents and important volunteer cares who have together shared their personal experiences to help shape and improve services. Community consultations in this matter have made a real difference and helped form a strong evidence base to bring this initiative forward."