About Memory Lane

Memory Lane Activity and Day Center is a specialist service providing day care in the community for older people who have a form of dementia.

Our Journey and Background

Amanda Botterill and Pam Clough have been lifelong friends. They grew up together from being infants and went to the same schools and shared a passion for dancing and the theatre – often performing together at Yeadon Town Hall in various musical productions. Their parents were good friends, being neighbours in the 60’s and 70’s, they often helped each other through some hard times.

In later life, unfortunately, both Amanda’s mum Margaret and Pam’s dad Eric were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease at around the same time, some ten years ago. The girls were struggling to adapt to becoming the main carers of their own parents and there was extraordinarily little support in the community.

One thing that did help was “The Forget Me Not Café” in the area and they attended this regularly for help, guidance and support as well as a safe welcoming environment to attend with their loved ones whose behaviours were becoming more and more challenging. This café only operated once a month and Pam and Amanda agreed that another Café would not go amiss, so they opened the Memory Lane Dementia Café at Yeadon Town Hall and this became well attended by many families/couples who were living with dementia.

This led to the realisation that so many people locally, needed something more for people living with dementia as well as some way of providing respite for their carers. From this was born “Memory Lane Day Centre” which initially helped just a few people each week. But demand grew very quickly and today they provide a care service in Yeadon for up to 20 people each day, Monday to Saturday. After five years managing the day center, both Pam and Amanda are extremely proud of all they have achieved and feel privileged to be able to help so many in crisis through Dementia.

Pam and Amanda have said that the success is partly to do with the enormous gap in dementia services but mainly because we understand first-hand what people are going through and are therefore able to tailor the care package to suit individual needs.
“Helping people to feel a sense of purpose in their daily lives is crucial to wellbeing for everyone. Dementia brings this need to the fore and the remedy often starts with regular brain stimulation through music and activity.”
“it’s just so rewarding to see our clients going home with great big smiles on their faces!”

Why use Memory Lane?

Varied Activities

Music and singalongs are amongst the most popular activities along with creative skills such as crafting, art, reminiscence sessions, gentle exercise, gardening and much more.

Well Being

We aim to develop people’s skills and offer new and different engagements to promote physical and mental well-being.

Person-centred

We aim to provide the absolute best “person-centred” service, based upon the needs of each individual in our care. We work to enhance and promote positive experiences for people with dementia and to provide respite for their loved ones.

Cognitive Stimulation Therapies

Open six days a week, providing Cognitive Stimulation Therapies, through various enjoyable activities which are tailored to suit varying personalities.

Memory Lane day centre has provided a little focus and fun for my husband for two days/week for two years, and in return, I have the only respite available to me each week. I believe without Memory Lane Day Centre, my husband would probably have required regular home nurse care or may have been moved into a nursing home. The staff at Memory Lane Day Centre and kind, caring and my husband looks forward to going. I, as his wife, particularly like it when he participates in art and craft activities or when they have had a singer/act that my husband will try and recount when he returns home!
Dorothy Dyson
Partner