Purpose

This report presents an application for funding under the Council’s Community Funding Programme.  

An application has been received from The Dementia Care Hub for £4,894.42 from the Community Fund towards the first 6 months running costs of two of their social and art groups for individuals suffering from dementia and their carers.

The Dementia Care Hub was established as a charity in December 2021 in Totton by Dr Kellyn Lee with the aim of ‘making the lives of people living with a dementia, their care partners, family and friends better.... to prevent avoidable distress through practical and emotional support that is inclusive and accessible to all.’ 

The organisation has grown from strength to strength and as a result Dr Kellyn Lee is now opening a further hub in Titchfield due to high demand and her previous connections to the area. Prior to putting in an application for funding, a couple of trial social sessions to gauge interest at Titchfield Community Centre had taken place which had proved very successful. A total of 24 residents attended the trial sessions along with 6 local volunteers. The vast majority of the attendees were from Fareham with a few that attended from Lee-on-Solent and Gosport.

The sessions The Dementia Care Hub is looking for the Council to contribute towards are for the continuation of the trial social sessions, but also the addition of an art session in response to identified need. The funding would cover the running costs for 2 of the 3 proposed sessions per week for the first 6 months; one social group and one art group.

The total of the running costs for these 2 sessions is £4,894.42 and includes staffing (£1,872), rental of the hall (discounted at £2,638.14), resources and activities (£384.28). These sessions are projected to be self-funded after the initial 6-month period through the £12 monthly membership fee.

As of 12 August 2023, The Dementia Care Hub held £12,367.91 in their accounts.

Both Cllr Mrs Hockley and Cllr Miss Harper support The Dementia Care Hub’s application.

Decision

RESOLVED that this application be approved.