ABOUT US

The charity was set up in 1990 by a group of residents with the close support of a local G.P., in response to the dearth of NHS services in the area and the difficulties that local people experienced in accessing primary health care support. We are managed by local people (our management committee is made up of a core of 6 residents supplemented by 4 others with specialist skills) and local people have always contributed to the delivery of our services by volunteering.

In 2005 we launched a health and well-being skills programme. This offers a range of activities such as 'Next Steps in Cookery' and 'Seasonal Cooking' aimed at providing kitchen confidence, cooking skills and nutritional knowledge; 'Sit and Be Fit' and 'Yoga' (focusing on physical fitness, flexibility and health); 'Down Memory Lane' (focusing on social interaction; 'Card Craft' and 'Textiles' (focusing on manual dexterity).

We host North East Dementia Care in our building which offers day care support to people living with Dementia in Sunderland and the surrounding areas. Day care includes; stimulating activities, hot lunch and transport. The health and well-being skills programme includes a clear referral pathway for our clients to access their services, their clients to participate in our activities and for joint projects.

This project also offers beneficiaries the opportunity to volunteer within the activities as part of our Peer Mentor scheme. Peer Mentors are volunteers who are supported by staff to offer encouragement, assist with session delivery, reflect back the views and opinions of users and help other project users play a leading role in designing and delivering the programme of activities.

OUR CENTRE