Article as published in H&N magazine – July 2017 edition
Run by two Yeadon women who have been friends since their childhood, Amanda Botterill and Pam Clough, both of who know first-hand the challenges faced when caring for a loved one. They each cared for parents who were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and realised that there is very little help out there in the community and they both know just how difficult it can be to find a really good, safe environment to leave your loved ones for the day and to get respite from the full-time caring role that they found themselves in. This is why Amanda and Pam set up Memory Lane Day Centre. This specialised service provides a loving, homely and positive atmosphere along with cognitive stimulation therapies through various enjoyable activities which are tailored to meet each individual’s needs.
Music and singalongs are a big part of the activities, along with creative skills such as crafting, art, reminiscence sessions, gentle exercise, gardening, bingo, quizzes and much more. Amanda and Pam explain, “The creation of the day centre has been the most rewarding experience of our lives and it is such a joy to see so many people receiving the specialist care they need and deserve.”In fact, their facility is so popular that they now have limited places available for new clients and are looking for larger premises to be able to accommodate the growing numbers of older people being diagnosed with Dementia. They are appealing to the public to let them know if there are any suitable premises to rent or lease in the Aireborough district. Access for people with disabilities is vital.
The centre does charge a fee for its services and it is possible for people on low incomes to apply for the fees to be paid for through Social Services. For others who are not eligible for funding, the centre has set up a charity that can offer full or part bursary funding. The bursary funding is made possible by donations from the public and fundraising events organised by Pam and Amanda.
“There are many things we are desperately in need of and if anyone is in a position to help we would be eternally grateful. If anyone has an event where they could tie in a raffle or any other kind of fundraising activities to help us, we need new high seat chairs, or at the very least to have the existing ones re-covered in washable, hygienic material. Also at the moment we are transporting clients to and from the centre in our own cars, doing multiple trips due to the size of the vehicles available, it would be amazing if we could have a minibus. We also need a MAC Book Pro or Tablet to help with connectivity and keep ahead of social media and a TV would be really useful for our karaoke singing. We are constantly fundraising through our own events, but so many things need doing that the funds get quickly eaten up. It would be really lovely to have support from anyone who can help us.” A few local firms and charities have helped the centre get started and Amanda and Pam would like to say a huge “thank you” to Yeadon Charities Association and Sainsbury’s Local, The Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, BNIB and Kettley’s for everything they do.
