Memories are Golden
Memories are Golden brings together individuals living with Dementia and those who may be at risk of social isolation from families, friends, and their community.
Our Community Hub provides a safe space to socialise and build friendships, as well as providing meaningful activities, entertainment, and social events, to improve well-being and reduce feelings of isolation.
We are driven by our values of empathy, commitment, and service excellence. At Memories are Golden, every individual is honoured and celebrated. We believe in providing a happier, healthier and more peaceful experience to people in the autumn of their lives.
Combating loneliness and isolation
Memories are Golden (MAG) was founded in 2018 by Nathalie Gilder and her team at Haverhill Community Care, when they discovered that loneliness and isolation was affecting the well-being of the individuals they cared for. They decided to set up a lunch club once a week to bring these individuals together and watched as they saw friendships build and their well-being improve.
They knew they had to bring their community a permanent day service so they could help more people to create memories by providing meaningful person-centered activities.
In September 2019, the Memories are Golden Community Hub was opened and now provides a vital service within our community. Our Community Hub is led by Kelly Kennedy-Smith who was instrumental in it’s opening.
Living with Dementia
Memories are Golden specialises in offering day care services to individuals living with Dementia and suffering from heart conditions, Diabetes, and other long-term physical challenges. We also support people in their journey towards combating loneliness and isolation.
At the Community Hub we not only provide delicious hot nutritious meals, but also arrange a range of activities, in which everyone is encouraged to actively participate. These include singing, arts and crafts, and sessions of physical activities, which have proved to be extremely popular with our clients. We believe adulthood is a treasure of wonderful ideas, vast knowledge, and loads of life experience. The more it is shared, the better.
In the near future we look forward to having our very own purpose-built Community Hub which will enable more individuals living with Dementia to join us.
Donate to Memories are Golden
Given the upheaval of the past year, caring for those in need has never been more important.
MAG is a local community hub that brings together people living with Dementia and individuals who are home alone and at risk of social isolation. MAG is a fully registered charitable trust (1195018) which is managed by Haverhill Community Care.
The hub brings together families, friends and members of the community and provides a wide range of interactive events, activities, and entertainment to improve their wellbeing, to build friendships and above all else – to reduce social isolation.
You can either help to sponsor an activity or event such as:
- A weekly/monthly food shop
- Annual seaside excursion (coach, hire of beach hut and fish n’ chips)
- Birthday Presents
- Christmas Party
OR simply donate to help us improve our facilities such as
- Activities
- Garden Furniture
- New Purpose-Built Community Hub
PLEASE – Think local – these members of our community need our help.
Our Trustees
Damien Howard – D Gurteen and Sons Ltd
Chair Person
I feel very privileged to be a trustee of this amazing charity. Memories are Golden is a local community hub that brings together people living with Dementia and individuals who are living alone and at risk of social isolation. I shall never forget my first experience when I visited the hub. I was greeted by the attendees that day – a smiling, singing, and laughing group who were immersed in a full on, sing along! I turned the corner to see that a roast chicken was in the oven and lunch was quietly and efficiently being prepared in the kitchen. From tea parties to fish and chips in Felixstowe, I know that this hub is a very special place and run by passionate people that care. I am delighted to do what I can to support them.
Tracy Faulkner – Preview Property Services
Deputy Chair Person
Memories are Golden is a charity very close to my heart. My father passed away a few years ago but prior to this had been diagnosed with Dementia which stayed with him for a considerable period of time. Walking into MAG filled me with joy, the staff are just fantastic and help create what is very special atmosphere. The data is there for all to see, with Dementia and social isolation increasing exponentially, there is a greater need than ever before for hubs and centres to be established and offer support in local communities. Putting myself forward to become a trustee enables me to play some small part in trying to make sure others do not endure the same dreadful situation in which my father and his immediate family found ourselves.
Jade Donno – 1Accounts Online
Secretary
Memories are Golden is a very special part of our community. Haverhill has a large number of people living with Dementia and so the hub is a necessity for the town and our local community. When the opportunity to become a trustee came about, I was thrilled to help this amazing charity, MAG does so much good. The thought of anyone battling with social isolation or Dementia really breaks my heart and knowing that there is a place in our community that can help both the individual and their families for a day or two is really wonderful. Walking into the hub you are met with such joy from everyone. I feel that hubs like this should be widely available to give those in need the support and sense of community that is lacking in so many areas. As a trustee I hope I can help to spread the word about this hub.
Kelly Kennedy Smith
Community Hub Manager
Memories are Golden is very special to me. It has been incredibly rewarding to see it grow over the last couple of years. I love to see a smile on everyones faces and watch them enjoying themselves, but most of all I love seeing them building friendships. The hub is run by community carers and a cook who are all amazing to work with. We have 7 caring and understanding volunteers that help us throughout the week. We have many regular attendees, most of whom come for at least 3 days a week. We make sure to get to know all individuals on a personal level and get to understand their needs, likes and dislikes. We incorporate their interests into our activity weeks, too. They enjoy days out, especially the seaside and to see them enjoying the sea air and having fish & chips along the promenade is heart-warming.
How You Can Get Involved
Email enquiries@project1-8vq2dr4i8k.live-website.com to Donate Or Contact Us to get Involved
Activities
- General Knowledge Quiz Games
- Chair based exercise activities
- Baking
- Puzzles and Games
- Snooker and Darts
- Flower Arranging
- Singing and dancing
- Crafts – Pottery, Painting, Knitting, Sewing and more
- Themed Celebration Days
- Gardening
- Foot and Hand Care sessions
Sample Menu
We provide hot, nutritious meals
- Roast Gammon, Roast Potatoes, Carrots & Broccoli; Fresh Fruit Salad
- Cod in Parsley Sauce, Mashed Potato & Peas; Chocolate Fudge Cake
- Homemade Quiche, New Potatoes, & Salad; Apple Crumble with Custard
- Chicken Casserole, Roast potatoes, & Cauliflower; Homemade Banoffee Pie
- Fish & Chip ‘Takeaway’; Sticky Toffee Pudding & Custard
- Toad in the hole, New Potatoes & Broccoli; Fruit strudel
- Lasagne with Peas & Garlic Bread; Eton Mess
- Vegetable Bake & Potato Wedges; Choc Ice
We also provide refreshments throughout the day with a selection of biscuits and homemade cakes.
Hub Opening Days & Times
- Monday – 9.30am-2pm
- Tuesday – 9.30am-2pm
- Wednesday – 9.30am-2pm
- Thursday – 9.30am-2pm
Office Hours
- Monday – Friday 9am – 4pm
Referrals & Get in Touch
Some people may be eligible for financial help towards the cost of care. This is determined on an individual basis. The majority of our referrals come via Social Services – Adult team.
If you would like to access our services you can either contact us directly or your local Social Services department for an assessment. Upon completion of a successful assessment an agreement will be in place with either the local authority or directly with the client.
Personalised budgets are offered to those who qualify for a care package – contact your local authority for further information. We also have private clients that wish to pay directly for their services.
Our Office hours are Monday to Friday 9am-4pm, we are closed on Bank Holidays.
Unity Offices, Park Road, Haverhill, CB9 7YD
07538920731
Get in touch using the form below to find out more about us or to donate to Memories are Golden.