Dementia service gets gold status

The Essence Service operated by Age UK Sunderland and the Sunderland Carer’s Centre has been awarded a gold accreditation from Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC) for its Sunderland base.

The service is based in the Sir Thomas Allen Centre at Doxford Park, with workers on hand to offer advice and assistance to allay the fears and concerns that can come with a dementia diagnosis.

The award recognises the service’s work to create an accessible, welcoming space, where people in the city can go to enjoy sessions that are specifically designed to stimulate memories and assist people who are in the early stages of dementia.

The service was visited by an auditor from DSDC, and a detailed report was shared, giving feedback on the Sir Thomas Allen Centre before the gold status was confirmed.

The Essence building was designed from the outset to be dementia friendly, created to support those with the condition and their carers.

It is now one of only two places in Sunderland to have achieved the award.

Alan Patchett, director at Age UK Sunderland, said that the award was testament to the determination and design effort from the very start by Age UK Sunderland to create a dementia friendly environment that would be a beacon for the city.

He said: “A dementia diagnosis can be heartbreaking, and you can be left imagining the worst.

“The Essence Service is the first port of call for people in the city who have had a diagnosis, and their families and friends who may be left with lots of questions about what they can do to help.

“Our aim, since day one, has been to create a service that really does enrich and transform the lives of those living with dementia in the city from a space that is absolutely fit for purpose, so to have our centre awarded a gold status from an internationally respected body is just fantastic.”

DSDC is an international centre of knowledge and expertise based at the University of Sterling, dedicated to improving the lives of people with dementia. 

It draws on research and practice, from across the world, to provide a comprehensive, up-to-date resource on all aspects of dementia.

Mr Patchett added: “The Essence Service gives vital support to people with a dementia diagnosis and their carers, at what can be a very anxious time in their journey, and we are so proud to have our facilities recognised and to know that, as a result, we are helping improve the lives of many people across the city.

“We’d welcome any organisation to come to our Essence Centre in Doxford Park to see for themselves how we have created a space that is designed for people with dementia, and to share the knowledge and best-practice we have achieved.”

To find out more about the Essence Service in Sunderland, visit www.ageuk.org.uk/sunderland