New provider for Rotherham dementia services

Making Space has won a three-year contract to offer some services previously run in Rotherham by Alzheimer’s Society. 

Both national charities will work together in future, co-ordinating full dementia support across the borough.

Formed in Warrington in 1982, Making Space is now a national charity which pioneered a dementia law clinic — also being made available here.

Cath Magee, area manager for Making Space, said: “Rotherham is a new local authority area for us, although we already have a strong presence in Doncaster and Barnsley.

“This is a great opportunity for Making Space to make our mark and share our national expertise in dementia and carer support.”

Alzheimer’s Society will keep offering other services, including its Singing for the Brain sessions.

Cath said: “Alzheimer’s Society has been delivering an excellent and highly-regarded service for the past five years.

“We are working closely with them during the handover period.

“Our two organisations already have a strong working partnership and we will build on this to making the transition period as easy as possible for the people we support, employees and volunteers.”

Dementia cafes offer a dementia-friendly places for those with dementia, their families and friends to meet for coffee and a chat.

They also offer advice on issues around dementia, delivered by knowledgeable staff.

Nathan Atkinson, Rotherham Borough Council’s assistant director of strategic commissioning, said: “The dementia cafes are a brilliant way to meet new friends and hear other people’s experiences.

“I look forward to seeing the new support pathways, including the cafes, in action over the coming months.”

Alzheimer’s Society will also keep running Rotherham Activity Group, the Carers’ Resilience Service, the Social Prescribing Service and the Rotherham Dementia Forum.

Services manager Donna Craven said: “We will still be supporting people affected by dementia in Rotherham in a number of ways.

“We would like to emphasise to people who have used our services that even though change can sometimes be difficult, our priority remains to continue to work with partner organisations to help people live well with dementia in Rotherham.”

One focus for the new service provider will be reaching out to Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.

Making Space hopes to increase the number of people supported locally, aiming for 100 new dementia cafe attendees this year and 650 people supported each year.

Call Making Space on 07973 855786 to find out more about their services and ring Alzheimer’s Society on 01709 580543 to learn more about their continued provision.