Three years of funding secured for dementia day care

We are incredibly grateful to The RS Macdonald Charitable Trust for generously donating a total of £45,000 in funding towards our dementia day club in Portobello.

Established 26 years ago in 1997, ‘The Cottage’ day club provides 50 full day places for people living with dementia each week.  The Cottage is a beautiful and relaxing place to come to, it is fully self-contained with two cosy sitting rooms, its own private kitchen area, fully accessible toilets and is surrounded by extensive grounds for clients to enjoy.

Graded ‘excellent’ by the Care Inspectorate, a small team of highly qualified and professional registered care workers provide a high level of support and a wide range of bespoke activities specifically designed for those coming along to the club.  Clients get the opportunity to enjoy food and drink with others as we serve mid-morning tea and toast when they arrive and provide a full, hot and nutritious two-course lunch every day. Transport is included to ensure everyone can join us; we pick clients up from their own homes in the morning and take them home safely later in the day.

Activities combine mental, physical and social stimulation, including reminiscence, quizzes, arts & crafts, falls prevention, wellbeing activities including hair and nails, music therapy, group interaction, word games and trips out and about to the beach, local gardens and barge outings.

“I feel very happy coming here, we all share a lot of things together – different dates or things that happened in our lives. We talk about our past. It makes me feel very good. The company has been wonderful, and it rekindles memories of your life meeting like-minded people – I think that’s so nice.” Cottage client feedback, August 2023

Thanks to this funding, local older people with dementia will experience improved connections, feel less isolated, enjoy new friendships (with other clients and staff) and have something positive to look forward to. Dedicated unpaid carers will benefit from having their own time and benefit from advice and support from the team who they get to know well, enhancing their ability to maintain their caring role.