Next week (Monday 12 August) The Filo Project, a local dementia daycare non-profit organisation, celebrates its 10th birthday.
The social enterprise has helped over 3000 people and won numerous awards for its unique offering, whereby hosts welcome into their home for the day small groups of older people with early to moderate dementia.
Hosts collect clients and bring them into their home for a shared, joyful day and home-cooked lunch. Activities flex to each group’s interests and abilities, such as baking, jigsaws, singing or crafting. The result is dementia care that feels like a relaxed day spent with friends.
The intimate, homely setting allows people to grow in confidence and make friends, with many finding their dementia symptoms stabilise or even improve. Meanwhile, family carers have regular, extended respite from the challenges of looking after their loved one.
The organisation started out with just two of groups in Devon, and has since expanded to 75 groups across Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, East Lancashire. The service is open to all, self-funders and those who are eligible for financial support from their Local Authority.
Jenny Edwards, whose husband David attends The Filo Project, says:
“The Filo Project offers us both a really positive few hours every week. For myself it gives me the opportunity to be free of the responsibilities of caring, and allows me to go out, shop, meet friends, anything I want to do for myself. For David, it gives him a chance to go out, socialise, and meet other people. It’s a great service!”
Justin Vernon, a host at The Filo Project, says:
“It has been lovely to meet so many wonderful, interesting and fascinating people since I joined The Filo Project. Every Filo Day is slightly different, something the smaller and regular groups really helps to facilitate. To see our clients interacting, chatting and being happy makes the days fly by. It has also added something special to our family home and developed our awareness of just how unique and special we all are.”
Dr Liz Dennis, co-director of The Filo Project, says: “Over the last ten years we’ve seen and shown day in, day out how life with dementia can still be a life well-lived. Dementia takes so much from families and is incredibly challenging. But people can still flourish and experience joy and humour if we treat them as the valued person they still are – that’s the whole ethos The Filo Project is built on.
“We’re expanding to meet demand across the country and are excited for what the future holds.”
To find out more about The Filo Project or if you are interested in becoming a host visit www.thefiloproject.co.uk or call 0333 939 8225.
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