Connecting with older people

We empower, care and engage with older people to make later life better.

Our name is nationally recognised but we are a local, independent charity. Every day our work makes a difference to older people and carers. Our organisation involves older people in everything we do and volunteers give their time to help us deliver more for less. We rely on donations and every penny we receive is spent in Derbyshire. And all our services, shops and fundraising need volunteers so come and join us.

Day Care

When I first met Mary she seemed a bundle of illnesses and conditions. It was hard to see her for all the labels. ‘Dementia’, ‘depression’, ‘arthritis’, ‘falls risk’…. But somewhere under all the labels Mary was still there we just had to find her. Her husband Jim was very anxious and feeling guilty that first trial day. Mary sat with her head down, until the music started that is! Then Mary’s new label was ‘beautiful voice’. At lunchtime she got another new label: ‘loves pudding!’ Craft got her fingers sticky and her mind working and she talked so her new companions gave her another label: ‘funny’. When Jim collected her and discovered our staff did not label her ‘difficult’ he breathed a sigh of relief. Mary’s labels got more and more about her and less and less about her physical and mental health. Her regular falls prevention activity and empowering care meant she could move better at home too. Each visit got easier for Jim and something to look forward to for Mary. She started to label the day at Bakewell ‘my day’ and Jim could call it ‘his day’ and they got along better on all the other days. When things got difficult Jim had experienced, skilled staff to turn to for advice and Mary had carers who knew her not her labels. With a door to door service and everything included in the price it was great value for money. As you’d expect our care carried on even in a pandemic and the day centre opened again with effective Covid-secure measures in place where Mary’s new label was ‘so glad to be back’

If you, or someone you love, would like to join our Day Services in Bakewell, Hope and Hulland Ward call Alison Milner on 01773 766922

Chaddesden Centre

For the people who use our Chaddesden Centre it a big part of their lives. The centre is a place they volunteer, learn, share, dance, sing and feel alive again. Our Chaddesden Centre provides a very popular weekly home-cooked meal for the lunch club, delivers and supports social groups, classes, and special activities and events. The activities are low cost but high value and delivered in a friendly, accessible centre in the beautiful Chaddesden park. Come along to one of our events, sign up for a class or volunteer and find out what the Chaddesden Centre could mean to you.