New dementia hub bringing care and support under one roof proposed for Thatcham

Plans for a new hub to support those living with dementia have been proposed in Thatcham.

New charity West Berkshire Dementia Hub wants to build a purpose-built centre near West Berkshire Community Hospital to bring dementia care services and support under one roof.

With an estimated 2,041 people aged over 65 currently living with dementia in West Berkshire, and numbers expected to rise to 3,109 by 2030, there is an urgent need to support individuals, carers and families, them charity has said.

Negotiations are ongoing with the NHS to purchase the site in Thatcham, before planning permission can be submitted in time for a major fundraising campaign in the autumn.

Chair of trustees Catherine Haig said: “A central hub bringing together statutory services and voluntary provision is an innovative way to meet this need.

“From diagnosing well, supporting well and living well aligned with the NICE care pathway for dementia patients we want everyone to feel supported and enabled.

“Everything will be designed with dementia in mind.

Greenham Trust is the strategic funder providing the building with the charity as its tenant.

Chief executive Chris Boulton said: “We are very excited about the project and will be working hard with West Berkshire Dementia Hub to make it a reality.”

West Berkshire Dementia Hub is inspired by the Sage House model in West Sussex and other hubs around the country.

The partnership will be working with Dementia Friendly West Berkshire and other local agencies to see the project through to fruition.