The Open Afternoon of Ross Meeting Centre was very well supported by many local residents on Wednesday, March 15th.

Ross Meeting Centre (RMC) provides a caring and stimulating environment for people living with mild or moderate dementia, and their carers. Weekly sessions will run at Christ Church, Edde Cross Street, Ross-on-Wye with sessions taking place between 11am and 3pm.

At the Open Afternoon, a wide range of people attended, who expressed a desire to help RMC get off the ground. Some of these people have family members with dementia, and some were members of local groups who expressed an interest to work in partnership with the centre.

One of these attendees was Phill Hucks from The Orchard Trust, a charity based in the Forest of Dean, which provides a wide range of integrated services to meet the needs of people with learning disabilities in Gloucestershire and the surrounding areas.

Mr Hucks said that The Orchard Trust have just started to organise gentle walks for people who have dementia at their smallholding at Stowfield, near Lydbrook.

He suggested that the RMC may like to organise day trips to The Orchard Trust, as therapy in an outdoor environment can be very effective.

Also in attendance was Emily Hardaker, a Solicitor for Harrison Clark Shawcross, who said she was happy to speak to carers and people with early-onset dementia about any legal queries that they may have.

Reverend Deborah Cornish of Christ Church told all who attended the meeting that they will make good use of any volunteers’ skills, for example in art and craft. However, the most important job that can be done, she said, is to be a good friend to those who need it.

Potential volunteers were also told that they are not expected to fulfil a certain number of hours each week; some people may be able to help at RMC for a whole session on Wednesdays, between 10.30am and 3.30pm, to cover preparation and closing, while others may only be able to attend for a couple of hours.

They were also told that they are not expected to work reguarly, but rather, volunteering when they are able to, whether that is each week, or once every couple of months, all efforts would be appreciated.

The subject of funding was also raised. Attending a session at RMC costs £5 per session which includes lunch.

If you would like more information about RMC, or if you are interested in volunteering, please email [email protected].