Gareth Davies MP has today joined Dementia Support South Lincs in celebrating their huge £202,933 grant from the National Lottery Community Fund which will allow them to continue their vital work supporting people living with dementia, and their carers, in their hometown of Bourne and elsewhere across South Lincolnshire.
Dementia Support South Lincs (DSSL) will use the grant to run their therapeutic groups, including Tai Chi, Art for All, Singing for Fun and Let’s Get Gardening, as well as monthly support groups and coffee mornings. Support workers also undertake home visits and make telephone and email contact with members. In addition, they run the Square Hole Club, a twice-monthly club for people living with young onset dementia. DSSL had to prove its value to the local community in order to achieve the grant, and the team is delighted that its work has been recognised by the substantial amount awarded. The grant will be paid out over three years, with the initial payment being made later this month.
DSSL was set up in 2011 by Kate Marshall, together with a group of enthusiastic volunteers. It became a registered charity in 2012.
Gareth said:
"Delighted to hear that Dementia Support South Lincs have secured a huge £202,933 grant from the National Lottery Community Fund - really pleased that I was able to support their bid!
I’ve been fortunate to get to know Kate and the wonderful team behind this charity well in recent years. Their work to raise awareness of dementia, provide support to those affected and their families, and to reduce the stigma often felt following a diagnosis, is second to none.
This is really excellent news for our whole community!"
Kate Marshall said:
“We are overjoyed that the National Lottery has recognised our work in this way.
Our aim is to improve quality of life following a diagnosis of dementia, and remove the stigma often associated with this overwhelming diagnosis. People who have been diagnosed often describe it as like falling off a cliff - but we aim to open up a new life for them, helping them to gain confidence, find information and make new friends. Support is also essential for their carers, who say being able to talk to people who are on the same journey is a life saver.”
David, who is a DSSL service user, said:
“As a person living with dementia and a service user of DSSL, the latest National Lottery Community Award makes me feel so grateful and validated and will enable me to continue to live with the vital feeling of HOPE for the future – life goes on!”
