Maintenance Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (MCST)
- Location: Gwynneth Morgan Day Centre
- Price: Free
Applications are now open for our next MCST programme which begins in August 2024. If you are interested, please see below for details of how to apply. Please note, this service is only available in the borough of Wandsworth.
Gwynneth Morgan Day Centre
52 East Hill
London
SW18 2HJ
United Kingdom
Email: daycentre@ageukwandsworth.org.uk
Telephone: 0208 812 3645
A new program for people who have recently been diagnosed with dementia.
What is MCST?
MCST is a long-term version of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST), which is usually offered to people after their diagnosis of dementia. MCST helps to fill in the treatment gap after CST ends.
It is the only non-drug treatment recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to improve a person with dementia's cognition, independence and overall wellbeing.
What does the programme involve?
Each MCST programme runs for 24 weeks and consists of a weekly 2 hour session. Sessions are group based and are facilitated by our friendly and patient staff, who have received specialist training in delivering MCST.
Group members take part in meaningful and stimulating activities, which are themed week-by-week to cover a range of topics and cognitive skills. The group format (usually consisting of 8-12 people) offers a fun, supportive environment where people with dementia can benefit from the positive impacts of teamwork and communication on the brain whilst meeting new people who are in a similar situation to themselves.
Examples of weekly activities include:
• Puzzles and other games, e.g. cards
• Physical activity, e.g. gentle ball games
• Categorising objects/orientation/word association
• Using money/number games
• Crafts and creative activities
• Music games
• Conversation and reminiscence, e.g. childhood/current affairs/recognising faces or scenes
What are the benefits?
Staff, clients and their family members report increased confidence levels, a sense of belonging from forming new friendships and improvements in memory and communication.
What does it cost?
The MCST programme is free, with a suggested donation of £5 per session.
Is transport provided?
Age UK Wandsworth is unable to provide transportation to and from the MCST sessions. Clients must make their own transportation arrangements.
Who is eligible for the programme?
You are a suitable candidate for MCST if you are a Wandsworth resident who has:
• a diagnosis of mild to moderate dementia
• completed a course of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST)
You also need to be able to commit to attending the weekly sessions. They are not drop-in.
How do I join the programme?
You can refer yourself, or a friend or family member with their consent using the form linked below. The form can also be used to make a professional referral.
Forms can be returned via email to daycentre@ageukwandsworth.org.uk.
You can also drop the form off at our Day Centre Reception at the Gwynneth Morgan Day Centre, 52 East Hill, Wandsworth, SW18 2HJ between 10am-3pm on weekdays.
If you would like to find out more about the MCST programme please call Frank on 020 8877 8947 or email him at daycentre@ageukwandsworth.org.uk.
