Last Updated: May 1, 2026
Wiltshire charity Alzheimer’s Support run four day centres. They were also recognised nationally, winning the dementia care category at the Markel 3rd Sector Care Awards 2024. In this article, they give us a look at what day services are, their benefits, and how people can access them.
‘Staying in my own home for as long as possible…’ is the often-expressed wish of people following a diagnosis of dementia. Independence, the familiar surroundings of home, and remaining an active part of their community are valued by so many.
Yet when dementia is in the mix, specialist support and a bit of ‘breathing space’ can help the whole family cope better. That’s where dementia day services come in, offering a full day’s care and companionship in a purpose-designed setting while family carers have a whole day to themselves.
Who the clubs are for
Our clubs in Wiltshire cater for people living in their own home with any type of dementia. People benefit most when they are in the early to mid-stages of dementia, are able to enjoy social interaction and are relatively mobile. Most, but not all, are from older age groups. People come on they same day each week, building up familiarity with each other and developing bonds and in many cases strong friendships.
What happens in day care
It’s unsurprising to learn that most people, including people with dementia, don’t want to go to a ‘dementia day centre’. But our clubs are vibrant, engaging places where people can leave dementia at the door and enjoy a day out with friends.
Visitors are always struck by the genuine friendship between members, staff and volunteers. There are no uniforms or badges. Although the teams are highly experienced in dementia care, they do not dwell on the illness, except part of the fuller understanding of the person’s preferences, character and background. Visitors always remark on the relaxed, uplifting atmosphere and we treat members as a group of friends coming together.
Each club has a spacious communal area with furniture flexibly arranged for group conversation, dancing or small group activities, and each has an indoor or outdoor garden. All are bright, well-maintained spaces filled with art, objects and photographs which reflect members’ lives now and in the past. Lunch is a focal point in the day, with everyone sitting down together for a freshly cooked meal. Club members can assist with cooking and the two newest clubs have open plan kitchens to encourage participation and involvement.
Bringing the community in
As people find it harder to be active in their communities, the clubs bring the communities in. Regular visitors include musicians (whose live performances usually lead to singing and dancing), artists, poets and school children of all ages. Each club has a long-term connection with local primary school and further education college and the presence of young people brings real joy to club members. The ice cream man includes us on his rounds in summer. Local museums involve our members when they plan new exhibitions. Florists and artists come in to run workshops and when there is a cake day to be judged at a local company, guess who gets to be the judges?
Therapy whippets Higby and Dottie, and a carefully selected group of volunteer dogs, wander free range in the clubs, spreading their own brand of love and helping to build the atmosphere of relaxed normality. Their non-judgemental listening ears support people who may find it hard to integrate initially. And club members whose dementia may have forced them to give up a pet, can groom, stroke, talk to and about the dogs, just as any group of animal lovers might do.
The benefits
The one-to-one attention, love and kindness shown to club members boosts self-esteem, reduce loneliness and help people find their social selves again. Joining a new ‘family’ where they are accepted unconditionally is huge for people who have experienced the losses of dementia and often seen friends fall away as they feel embarrassed or are unsure how best to help.
Families report people feeling tired, but also calmer and much happier after a day with us. The club quickly becomes part of the routine for members, and an extra day can be added subject to availability as need progresses. For some who live alone, the nutritious two-course lunch may be the only home-cooked meal of the week.
When new members join, staff take the time to get to know them well, talking to family members as appropriate and sometimes visiting at home before short initial visits to build up familiarity on both sides. The teams constantly develop new activities in response to members’ interests and accommodate people who wish to ‘do their own thing’ in the company of others.
Each week brings examples of how our teams go the extra mile for members. They sourced and borrowed a 1940’s motorbike for a lady who loved to remember how she had ridden a bike in her youth. When a support worker got married she live-streamed the ceremony into the club so everyone could be involved in her special day, and last year 101-year-old Marjorie stole the show as Mary the club’s first Nativity play.
Benefits for family carers
Time away from the daily pressures of caring is the main benefit for family carers, and they often tell us this weekly or twice-weekly respite is what enables them to continue in their caring role. The team understand the pressures on families and make time to talk through issues that may arise at home, offering informal emotional support and advice as needed.
Husbands, wives, partners, adult children and grandchildren of all ages are welcomed into the life of the clubs and encouraged to spend time with us if they wish to. Many families form friendships through the day clubs for mutual support, and club members enjoy finding out and meeting the wider family members of their new friends – as they would in any social setting.
Members return home with a detailed diary of their day which gives family carers an idea of what their relative has done and sparks conversations.
How to access
People find out about the clubs in many ways. They may be referred by a health care professional or dementia adviser or they can self-refer. For some the first they hear of us is via our active social media accounts. Occasionally we have waiting lists. Fees (currently £58 a day) are kept as low as possible, are subsidised by fundraising, and can be free to families as part of a social care package.
Case study – Monica and Derek Baker
Monica: Over the years I’ve had a varied career. I’ve been big sister to four siblings, a single mum of two toddlers, a school secretary and run a catering business – but caring for a loved one with dementia 24 hours a day, seven days a week is the hardest job I’ve ever done.
Knowing that there’s a day free from being the number 1 carer/wife/best friend/nurse/cook/cleaner – it’s an oasis of calm in my week.
A day when I can safely forget about the other half just for a few hours and do something that doesn’t revolve around Alzheimer’s.
A day when I can meet a friend for coffee or veg out with a good book. It doesn’t actually matter what I do on my Scots Lane day – just knowing that I have that day or two is all that keeps me on an even keel, keeps me sane(ish!) and keeps us both staggering on together!
Derek: I love going to Scots Lane club, it’s a break from the boredom of home, a joyful place where I meet new people, a new bunch of friends given to you.
I’m made welcome no matter what my personal problems are and it makes life better as it takes my mind off what’s going on in my life with the changes in my health.
Without exception the staff and volunteers are a friendly bunch and being at Scots Lane is a happy change from my home environment. Tolerance levels are much better for both of us!!
Find out more about Alzheimer’s Support on their website, or reach out via email here. You can also find details of other day services and dementia specific support in our Useful Contacts section.
