Andy Heffernan CEO ASI pictured at The Alzheimer Society of Ireland’s Bessboro Day Centre in Cork City for the official launch of its Activity Lodge, the first-of-its-kind in Ireland.
Photography By Gerard McCarthy 087 8537228
On Saturday, 25 th May 2024, The Alzheimer Society of Ireland’s (The ASI’s) Bessboro Day Centre will officially open its Activity Lodge, the first-of-its-kind in Ireland, to help clients who have been diagnosed with Young Onset Dementia (under 65 years). The event is also the culmination of a month-long celebration of the 30 th anniversary of Alzheimer’s Tea Day which saw over 800 Tea Day events take place across Ireland. Funds raised from Alzheimer’s 30 th Tea Day will help fund vital services for the 64,000 people living with dementia in Ireland along with their families and carers. The 30 th anniversary of Alzheimer’s Tea Day is a particularly significant milestone as statistics show that at least 30 people in Ireland are diagnosed with dementia, every single day.
Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People Mary Butler will officially open the Activity Lodge at The Alzheimer Society of Ireland’s Bessbora Day Centre in front of esteemed guests including public representatives, day centre users, their families and carers, community groups who have supported the development of the Activity Lodge and the wider community.
Minister Butler commented: “Since my appointment as Minister in 2020, I have made dementia a priority. Over successive budgets, I have secured Government funding for dementia services and for 2024 an additional €300,000 has been allocated to establish activity clubs for people with young onset dementia. It gives me great pleasure to launch the first of these activity clubs here at Bessboro, where people with young onset and also early-stage dementia can socialise and enjoy the support of the community. I’m also extremely pleased to share in the celebrations of the 30th anniversary of the ASI’s Tea Day.”
The Activity Lodge at the Alzheimer Society of Ireland’s day centre in Bessboro is focused on its garden to help users reconnect with the natural world. The garden has been designed with the assistance and guidance of Lecturer Donal Chambers at Kinsale Permaculture College and horticulturist student Emma Moller who is one of the students at the college. The garden fully embraces biodiversity and includes an area for growing organic vegetables, a wildflower meadow, a water feature and native fruit trees. Any produce from the garden will be used by the centre for its clients and any waste will be used for compost, ensuring a fully sustainable and circular economy. Future enhancements to the garden will include a poly tunnel, rainwater harvesters, and a sensory planting area specifically designed for people with dementia focusing on colour, touch and scent.
Speaking ahead of the launch of the Activity Lodge and Bessboro Tea Day, Síobhán O’Connor Head of Operations Community Engagement at The Alzheimer Society of Ireland commented, “It has been long recognised that there is a need for specific services and supports for those who have been diagnosed with Young Onset Dementia. Activity Clubs can cater not only for Young Onset Dementia but also for People in the early stage of their Dementia journey with opportunities to meet socially and engage in community activities tailored to their interests and with their peers. Research has shown that Activity Clubs that are co-led and co-designed by People living with Dementia appear to be the most innovative and successful and hence the Activity Lodge will be strongly influenced by its local users. It is wonderful to see the first of these unique supports being launched here in Cork.” She continued, “We are collaborating extensively with the local community including Frankfield Men’s Sheds who designed the garden’s water feature and Green Spaces for Health and their coordinator Maria Young who will help us develop allotments for our users. Local horticulturist Maura Duffy is another contributor to the project who will continue to provide the centre and users with support for the garden and its plants. We are grateful to all the contributors and cannot wait to see users engage with and enjoy the space.” Alzheimer’s Tea Day brings communities like Bessboro together across Ireland to support The Alzheimer Society of Ireland’s vital work, providing much-needed resources and services for the 64,000 individuals living with dementia and their families nationwide. With the number of people diagnosed with dementia expected to double in the next 25 years, the need for support has never been greater. Over the 30 years, Tea Day has raised €10 million to help support people living with dementia across Ireland, along with their families and carers.
To support The Alzheimer’s 30 th Tea Day please visit www.teaday.ie now to make a donation.
