People living with Dementia and their carers will receive help and support thanks to East Kent Freemasons.
More than a thousand local people affected by Dementia and their carers will receive help and support thanks to a grant from East Kent Freemasons to Age UK Herne Bay & Whitstable.
The £58,000 grant will support several of Age UK Herne Bay & Whitstable’s dementia support services, which provide holistic support to people living with the condition as well as their families and caregivers by providing access to specialised information and advice, one to one support, educational workshops, and community activities and events.
The funding will make a significant difference in the lives of people living with dementia and their loved ones by enabling the provision of drop-in clinics, where people can access information, advice and support from a wide range of professionals in a friendly informal setting. The grant will also fund the delivery of a creative arts group for people affected by the condition, which aims to empower people living with dementia to explore their creativity in a safe ‘failure free’ environment and improve their confidence and mental wellbeing by fostering a sense of community and belonging.
Dementia affects millions of people every year, creating a pressing need for accessible support and comprehensive services. As the prevalence of dementia continues to rise, the need for specialized support services has never been more critical. The challenges faced by those impacted by this condition affect not only the individuals diagnosed but also their families and caregivers.
EAST KENT
The grant from East Kent Freemasons comes through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons, their families and friends, from across England and Wales.
Age UK Herne Bay & Whitstable’s Chief Officer Linda Cowdry said: “We’re very grateful to East Kent Freemasons for their generous grant. Research shows that Kent is in the top ten areas nationally for numbers of people living with dementia and coastal regions like ours see a particularly high prevalence. The condition can have a massive impact on people’s lives and affects a whole family. The funding will allow us to continue to deliver a suite of services that offer broad ranging support to people living with the condition as well as their families. The grant will be invaluable to them and us as an organisation”.
Peter Rhodes from East Kent Freemasons, said: “I’m very pleased we’ve been able to help Age UK Herne Bay with their hugely important programme of assistance for people with dementia and their carers. Dementia can be a very lonely experience both for those with the condition and for the people looking after them. The advice and support offered by Age UK is invaluable.”
About Age UK Herne Bay & Whitstable
Age UK Herne Bay & Whitstable provides services and facilities to help local older adults to live a healthy and fulfilling later life. We deliver numerous services and activities aimed at improving physical and mental wellbeing and provide specialist advice and support on a variety of issues faced by older people.
For further information about Age UK Herne Bay & Whitstable, please contact: Leanne.Amos@ageukhbw.org.uk
www.ageuk.org.uk/hernebayandwhitstable
About the Masonic Charitable Foundation
The Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF) is one of the largest grant-making charities in the country. Funded entirely through the generosity of Freemasons and their families, the MCF awards millions of pounds each year to local and national charities that help vulnerable people, advance medical research and provide opportunities for young people. The MCF also helps to fund vital services such as hospices and air ambulances and regularly contributes to worldwide appeals for disaster relief. In total, MCF support helps to improve the lives of thousands of people every year in England, Wales and internationally. As well as providing grants to charities, the MCF supports Freemasons and their families with a financial, health or family need. Visit www.mcf.org.uk