Wednesday Club

 
Grant for Aylesbury Day Care Centre

An Aylesbury day care centre for people with early senile dementia has been awarded a £1,000 grant from the Community Chest. The Outreach or Wednesday Club, as it is known, meets at the Methodist Church’s community centre in Buckingham Street. There it provides a hot meal, musical and other entertainment, plus friendship and occasional outings for clients referred by the John Hampden Unit of Stoke Mandeville Hospital.

Carol Rogers, who has run the unit with volunteer helpers and drivers for 15 of its 18 years said, “We provide a respite service for the carers who can be assured that their loved ones are with us in a safe environment. Our clients only pay an attendance fee when present; we make no charge for absence, so our weekly income is variable. Therefore, the centre is very pleased to have received this grant from the Community Chest as it will cover the fixed cost our rent for the next six-months.

Presenting the award, Cllr Janet Blake, Chairman of Aylesbury Vale District Council, said, “I have enjoyed my visit to this day care centre and am really pleased that the Aylesbury Vale Community Chest grant will fund the venue for a further six months. Carol Rogers and her volunteers provide much needed respite care for carers by organising a weekly activity day for vulnerable people. Their vital work is a credit to the community.”

Ian Silver, Director of Housing and Community Services for Vale of Aylesbury Housing added, “I was delighted to be asked to Outreach Day Care Centre to see the outstanding work they do. This is exactly the type of project the Community Chest was set up to fund. Carole and her team of volunteers do a wonderful job helping the community once a week, 49 weeks of the year and such dedication deserves all our support. I am sure they would welcome more visitors and helpers too.”