The recent closure of Christ Church, means that the Ross Meeting Centre Dementia Club have had to move to Tudorville and District Community Centre.

The community centre is on Walford Avenue, Ross-on-Wye (HR9 5PZ) and the group now meets every Thursday between 11.30am and 3pm.

Ross Meeting Centre began in 2017 and provides friendship, fun, and stimulating activities for people with mild to moderate dementia and their carers in a safe, supportive environment.

Each session begins and ends with coffee and chat, allowing friendships to develop. They run varied morning and afternoon activities including quizzes, games, exercise, gardening, cooking, crafts, music, and singing. A two course hot lunch is also provided, all for £12 per couple.

Since their move in September, they’re supported by Dementia Matters Herefordshire and are part of the UK wide Meeting Centre Network; along with Leominster, they are the only meeting centres in the county.

The club is working with Ross Town Council and other groups to make Ross a dementia friendly town and one volunteer, Sue Murphy, will be delivering some of the dementia awareness sessions alongside Dementia Matters Herefordshire at Ross Library on November 3 and 10. Bookings can be made for free online.

The group has been approved to run a Talk Community Hub alongside their weekly sessions, with particular emphasis on dementia and associated issues. They can help with information and signposting to services, groups, and activities across the whole of the county, using the talk community directory.

None of their work would be possible without the support, dedication, and energy of volunteers. The club is always looking for sponsorship and funding to help continue and expand and will be setting up a Friends of Ross Meeting Centre Group to help moving forwards.