Age UK Herefordshire and Worcestershire’s research-led Dementia Centre comes to historic Hartlebury Castle

Hartlebury Castle will be the exciting new home of the Age UK Herefordshire and Worcestershire Dementia Meeting Centre for Kidderminster and surrounding areas. 

The new Kidderminster Dementia Meeting Centre will offer on-going warm and friendly expert support to people with mild to moderate dementia and their families, as they did previously from The Tulip Tree Centre. 

As well as providing a social hub for members to have fun and talk, Age UK Herefordshire and Worcestershire Meeting Centres are based on researched evidence of what helps people cope well and adjust to living with the symptoms and changes that dementia brings. 

Activities and events are tailored to feedback from the members and at Hartlebury Castle, the group will be given full use of the museum and gardens to really help them make the most of the venue.  

Age UK Herefordshire and Worcestershire’s Dementia Services Manager, Kelly Reeves can’t wait to get started in their exciting new location: “Meeting Centres are an important facility for people living with mild to moderate dementia and become a vital part of day-to-day life.” 

“They provide invaluable support for members and their families to adjust to the changes that a dementia diagnosis brings by helping slow the progression of dementia, encouraging a positive outlook for the future and adapting socially by making new friends and trying new person-centred fun activities.” 

“The move to this new location will provide a beautiful and historic environment for the members, bringing with it access to a wealth of interesting facilities at the Castle including the museum, state rooms, orchard terrace, exhibitions and much more. We are incredibly excited to be working with the team at Hartlebury Castle to deliver this much needed community service” 

County Museum Manager Rachel Robinson welcomes the partnership: “We are really pleased to host the Dementia Meeting Centre at Hartlebury Castle. Our team work hard to make the Castle welcoming for everyone.” 

The Kidderminster Dementia Meeting Centre starts at Hartlebury Castle on Friday 6 January 2023 from 10.30am until 3.30pm. The opening day will be a FREE drop-in, where you can look forward to a warm welcome from the team and the opportunity to ask any questions that you may have. 

As a response to the current cost of living crisis, Age UK Herefordshire and Worcestershire will be asking members to only pay what they can for their attendance at all their Dementia Meeting Centres from January until the end of March. All the funds raised will go towards the running costs and continuously improving the experience for Dementia Centre members. 

To learn more and to arrange your free trial, contact the Age UK Herefordshire and Worcestershire Referral hub on 0800 008 6077 or email referralhub@ageukhw.org.uk.