Dementia day care centre, Me2U is planning to expand its groundbreaking service by opening a second site in the region.
Taking inspiration from the Green Care Farms model in The Netherlands, the Me2u Centre in Kirkby offers a pioneering new approach that is transforming the landscape of dementia care and ageing in the UK. The centre provides flexible, holistic and person-focused day care and support for people living with dementia and their families.
Me2U now wants to replicate this unique approach in a second North West site, with plans to take over and repurpose a decommissioned council building in Huyton. To secure the project, the team now needs to raise £300k in funds and in-kind support and has called on the community to help with its efforts.
Speaking about her motivation, plans and dreams for the future, Rosie Whittington, director of the Me2u Centre, said:
“Dementia cases are increasing rapidly and the resources are quite scarce. Coming from the NHS and having to refer to community resources, I found that there was not a great deal out there and the ones that were available, I felt, were quite limited in regards to the pick up times and length of days.
“Me2U is about creating a resource that is person-centred, and the success so far has been phenomenal. As we are now at capacity, with the support of the Local Authority, we want to replicate that model, get the foundations right and the culture as we want it, and be able to reach more people who need services like ours. Hopefully we can then roll it out again and again, without growing too quickly and diluting our values and beliefs. The demand is there and we’ve got a fantastic model that works.”
A Crowdfunder page has launched this month and in-kind support has so-far been established from Liverpool-based companies, structural and civil engineers, Sutcliffe, architectural firm, Brock Carmichael and Skyline Scaffolding.
As part of the fundraising campaign, a number of events are also in the pipeline, including charity dinners, walks up Snowdon, tea dances and yoga events.
Since opening in 2018, the Me2u Centre prides itself on being a joyful home from home, using creativity and innovation to stimulate and care for those it supports with compassion, dignity and respect. It aims to de-institutionalise dementia care – ensuring people with dementia can remain as independent as possible in their own homes, keeping families together and communities intergenerational… in the process saving the public purse more than £70,000 per person.
It also has a 24/7 support line, and facilities and activities include a hair and beauty salon, games room, men’s shed, cinema room, dementia-friendly sensory garden, bingo, sing-alongs, gardening and flower arranging.
For more information about the Me2u Centre or to donate, visit: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/me2u-new-centre-fundraiser#start
