Buckinghamshire Mind’s Older Adults Service (OAS) has been offering community support to older adults with dementia and/or mental health issues since 1974. During this time both our Park Club in Chesham and Pippin Club in Prestwood have provided support, fun, companionship and stimulating activities in a friendly environment. We have also supported carers through peer support groups and a closed Facebook group.
Buckinghamshire Mind has been able to provide this service with the financial support of Buckinghamshire Council. Regrettably we inform this grant funding arrangement will cease at the end of March 2022.
Our priority at present is to closely consult with all OAS users and carers, creating a supported transition period as we look to develop an Older Adults Wellbeing Service, for those who are experiencing mental health issues. This will be done carefully and empathetically ensuring we explore:
- Potential new service delivery options to continue to offer support in a new adapted and financially sustainable way
- Offering support via other Buckinghamshire Mind services where possible, for example befriending
- Seeking other external viable pathways for signposting to local dementia friendly and older adult support sector allies.
Over the next two months, we will be working closely with each of our Older Adult Service users and their carers to ensure a positive and supported journey throughout these changes.
We will offer a further update on this service area in due course.