S.O.S (Save Orchard Services)

S.O.S is committed to saving the Orchard day centre which provides vital, appropriate stimulating and person centred activities for individuals with dementia and much needed respite for their families. WE NOW NEED RUNNYMEDE COUNCIL TO AGREE TO LEASE US THE BUILDING.

The families of the clients who attend the The Orchard; are very upset about the proposed closure of the centre (and subsequent merger with the Byfleet Centre) by the Alzheimers Society. The merger will pose a number of problems for families and clients alike, these include (but not limited to):

• The availability of spaces. With the closure of the Woking, Dorking, Cranleigh, and Chertsey centres; demand will out-strip supply. With the merger of these services there clearly will not be enough spaces to cater for all existing clients;

• There are question marks about the suitability of the building in Byfleet (i.e. one large room, with no 'breakout' areas for quiet activities for those who become distressed in large groups;

• Disruption caused to vulnerable clients which may lead to challenging behavior and some families having no alternative but to place loved ones in residential care.

As the number of dementia sufferers is set to rise to 1 million by 2025 and double every 20 years, we need to keep these vital services running.