A club offering support to people living with dementia and their carers is seeing the benefits of its new home in Trowbridge – after spending months looking for larger premises.

Alzheimer’s Support day club has moved from Polebarn Gardens, where it had been based since 1994, to a newly renovated building in Mill Street with the help of a grant from Awards for All.

The club is open four days a week, using the charity’s award-winning blend of reminiscences and activities to provide stimulating days out for up to 10 members at a time.

It is run by Grant Newton, who has managed the charity’s Sidmouth Street Club in Devizes for nearly five years. His dementia therapy dogs Higby and Dave have also made the transition to Trowbridge.

Mr Newton said: “This has been ambitious project for us. The new club opened with over half the members experiencing day care for the first time.

“It has been a big success so far and is testament to the staff and volunteer team and the informal, friendly atmosphere we try to create and maintain. Friendships are forming, social isolation and loneliness are being reduced.

“Alzheimer’s is a scary word to many, but we have a lot of life and laughter each day. Club members can do their own thing or join in small groups for activities. We are looking forward the club growing and developing into an integral part of the Trowbridge community.”

As well as providing activities for members, the club allows their carers to have much needed time out for themselves. One of the new members to the club is Pattie Franklyn, a former primary school teacher from Trowbridge.

Her carer, neighbour and friend Ann Raymond said: “It has done her so much good. She talks about the club all the time and she is so much more animated and happier now. It is helpful for me too to know that she is getting the attention and support she needs.”

The Mill Street club was refurbished and furnished with a £10,000 grant from Awards for All and smaller grants from Trowbridge Area Board, the WG Edwards Charitable Foundation and the Trowbridge Freemasons.

Chief executive Anna Littlechild said: “We would like to thank our funders and members of the community who helped out with the refurbishment, giving up their free time to help paint and put up shelves. It was a real community effort.”

For more information on the new club and how to become a member, contact 01225 775023 or visit www.alzheimerswiltshire.org.uk