Brad and James Crompton, directors of The Rainbow Care Group South Manchester and Cheshire, have opened three sites across the region, one of which is at Statham Lodge in Lymm.
The idea behind the centre is that it takes a “day club first” approach, with the aim of making the attendees feel as at home as possible.
James said: “The main thing we do is that it’s a day out first, and we are able to support people with dementia as a secondary.”
He added: “Just because you have the diagnosis [of dementia] doesn’t mean your life has to end.
“You still enjoy things, you still feel things, you still want to do all of your favourite hobbies.
“You might not be as mobile or as quick as you used to be, but it doesn’t mean you should now be disbanded from doing it.”
There is a focus on really getting to know the members of the club and tailoring the activities on offer specifically to them.
Brad said: “Everything we do, every activity and every day, is built around the individual.
“There is a big process before a member first comes to join us, where we understand their whole life story: what they love, who they were, who they are now, their family situation – but also importantly, what they don’t like to do.”
The event in Lymm on Tuesday (Image: NQ)
The sky really is the limit when it comes to the activities on offer at the Rainbow Care Hub, with the brothers putting everything they possibly can in place, to make sure all members have the best day possible.
James added: “One guy wants to go skydiving, so we’re doing everything we can to do that.”
For other members, it is about maintaining some level of normality, even when things around them are changing.
James said: “Some [members] still like to have a pint of Guinness, for example.
“It’s a day club first, so if they’re safe to do so, and their carers are happy for them to do so, we’ve got a Lodge Club here, where they’ll go and sit in the bar, we’ll read the newspaper with them and share a pint.”
The event in Lymm on Tuesday (Image: NQ)
Bethan Wilcox, franchise manager for The Rainbow Care Group, said: “It’s obviously a well-needed service in the area, and I think that’s really evident by all the people who have attended today.
“The Rainbow Care Group’s vision is to change the way that dementia care is delivered throughout the UK, and we do this through delivering person-centred care.
“We never look at a diagnosis, we never look at the word dementia – we always focus on the people.”
This centre is not only intended to benefit individuals with dementia, but also family and friends around them, who are often relied upon to deliver most of their care.
The brothers say that being able to leave loved ones at The Rainbow Care Group for the day, knowing they are happy and safe, can be a source of comfort for carers and give them some much-needed respite.
Brad said: “You can care better when you’re rested and have that time for yourself. I don’t think you can really rest when you’re feeling guilt or sorry for the person that you’ve dropped off.”
The brothers understand this need better than most, with their own mum, Claire, having been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s at just 54.
When they were unable to find any local groups they were happy for her to attend, they decided to bring The Rainbow Care Group’s services to Cheshire and South Manchester and run the centres themselves.
James said: “We try to deliver a service that we would be proud to leave our mum at.”
The event in Lymm on Tuesday (Image: NQ)
The Mayor of Warrington, Cllr Sagheer Zaman, was there to open the centre, and he says this initiative is just what the town needs.
“It’s a really good initiative, and seeing the brothers, who’ve come across dementia struggles with their mum, bring the club to Warrington gives a great opportunity for people with dementia.”
The day care centre is open at Statham Lodge on Tuesdays and Thursdays, between 10am and 4pm.
To find out more information, and to book your space, visit https://therainbowcaregroup.com/dementia-day-care-south-manchester/.