Newcastle-based charity Dementia Care has been announced as intu Metrocentre’s new charity partner for the coming year.
Earlier this year, the shopping centre invited charities from across the region to nominate themselves to be its new charity of the year. Applications flooded in and a judging panel from intu Metrocentre, includingcommunity manager Clare Cannon, faced the challenge of selecting just one worthy charity for the year ahead.
The shopping centre chose Dementia Care which provides specialist care, support and advice to people with dementia and other neurological disorders, such as acquired brain injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease, as their charity of the year for 2018.
Dementia Care has centres at Newcastle and Hexham and since 1993 has been supporting people with dementia, as well as their families and carers. Over 200 people use their facilities each week including respite care, home support, day services and independent supported living housing and the charity was named Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Provider of the Year for the North East of England at the 2017 Social Care Awards.
As part of the charity partnership intu Metrocentre will be working closely with Dementia Care, organising a range of fun events in centre to increase awareness of the work they do and raise as much money as possible for the charity.
Last year staff at intu Metrocentre undertook a range of exciting physical challenges and feats of endurance and, thanks to generous donations, from shoppers, colleagues, friends and family, raised animpressive £20k in charitable donations.
Throughout the course of the year the partnership will give Dementia Care access to promotional space in centre, allowing volunteers to fundraise and increase awareness of the wide variety of services open to people from across the region. This includes Dementia Care’s new supported living homes in Dinnington Village – a unique approach which encourages people with dementia to live independently in a family atmosphere of four or five, while being supported by staff in a safe and secure environment.
Fraser Quin, Chief Executive of Dementia Care said:
“Dementia Care is delighted to be charity partners with intu Metrocentre for the coming year – it’s so pleasing to be able to work with such a well known north east institution.
“During our partnership we hope to raise £10,000 to fit a purpose built gym in our Newcastle Day Care centre as exercise has been shown to play an important role in the care offered to people with a diagnosis of dementia. We also hope to be able to tell people in the region more about dementia and the services that the charity provides.”
Clare Cannon, community manager, intu north east, added:
“Dementia Care is an amazing charity which really is at the forefront of care provision for people with dementia.
“The charity works incredibly hard to help people in its care to remain independent for as long as possible, improving their quality of life and giving their carers peace of mind that their loved ones needs are being met with warmth and understanding.
“Staff at intu Metrocentre can’t wait to start raising money for this wonderful cause and we’re sure that our generous visitors will dig deep to support our fundraising efforts and help us to hit the £10k target!”