'Dementia bus' fundraiser brings service to rural areas
BBCA charity that takes dementia support services on the road to help people living in rural areas, has had an upgrade on its outreach vehicle after raising £50,000.
Martin Steer, from the charity Dementia Matters Here(fordshire) said the service is "absolutely essential."
The new 'dementia bus' acts as a café on wheels, as well as a minibus, taking staff and services directly to people living in isolated, rural parts of Herefordshire.
"The ability to take the service to them, I think is irreplaceable really. They would never have contact with us at all, unless we took it [the bus] out to them." said Steer.
At 20 years old, the outgoing van, 'Molly' was in need of an upgrade, for comfort as well as flexibilty.
Nicknamed by volunteers 'MyVANwe', in a play on the Welsh name 'Myfanwe', the new people carrier can be set up with a table and chairs in the back.
"People can sit and have a private conversation, but also the seats will turn around and they can turn it into a six seat or seven seat minibus to take people to and from our events" added Steer.
As a hybrid it's also more economical, so will "save money in the long run hopefully".
Ellie Chowns, Green MP for North Herefordshire, said: "Living in such a rural area as this, people struggle with transport to get to services, so this way, Dementia Matters Here(fordshire) can go out to where people are and offer them those services and support in their own communities.
"The connection, the support is a real lifeline.... especially when people are struggling with memory loss. To be able to connect with other people is so valuable."
The Heath family, who live in Hereford are regular users of the charity and helped with the fundraising.
Theresa Heath cares for her husband Martin, who has dementia. She said: "Martin, he'll admit himself, isn't sort of very sociable, but he, you know, he likes going for a coffee.
"Meeting people, it's lovely and it's just nice to know you've got somebody at the back there to help you, the support is fantastic."
Director of the Association for Dementia Studies at the University of Worcester, Dr Shirley Evans is also the chair of Dementia Matters Here(fordshire).
Evans said the fundraising efforts of the staff and volunteers, as well as the local community was "a remarkable thing."
"We've had some fantastic people making donations... the Garfield Western Foundation, the Friends of the Herefordshire Dementia and Alzheimers sufferers, that's a group of golfers who have raised money for this and have raised money for us in the past. Also the Clive Richards Foundation, and lots of people individually as well as fundraising activities.
"We're really excited about this and really grateful that we can continue this service within the county."
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