On your bike! Newbury care home’s drive by a roaring success

A care home in Newbury has raised more than £1,474 to mark Dementia Action Week.

Care UK’s Winchcombe Place, on Maple Crescent, organised for more than 100 motorbikes to drive by the home to raise money for Dementia UK and Fair Close Day Centre, who provide vital support for the local community and help open-up conversations about dementia.

Residents, relatives and the local community were out in full force to see the parade of bikes descend on the home’s car park, where locals were able to view them up close. 

The visit was particularly special for 88-year-old resident Kathleen Watkins, who used to ride motorbikes in her younger years. Kathleen was delighted to be taken for a spin around the block by one of the bikers from Baphomet Brotherhood, and said the visit “absolutely made [her] day”.

Another local care home, Care UK’s Newbury Grove on London Road, also organised a fundraiser. The team hosted a charity bake sale to help raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society. The team raised £122.50 for the charity. 

The fundraiser comes as research carried out by Care UK found over two thirds of British adults (67%) admitted they felt they should know more about dementia.   

Following the poll, Care UK has launched a new, free guide – One step at a time – A video guide to navigating dementia – which is the first of its kind. It is the eighth guide to be released by Care UK, following the success of its predecessors – but the first to be available in video format. 

Tapping into more than 40 years of experience providing care for people living with dementia, the videos include detailed explanations and practical advice from Care UK’s experts, including Head of Nursing, Care and Dementia, Suzanne Mumford, Managers and team members from care homes across the country, plus residents’ families and carers. 

Each section is designed to provide a lifeline for families whose loved one has been diagnosed with dementia by dispelling common myths and helping to shine a light on what it means to live with the condition. 

It also includes practical tips from carers to help them understand how they can continue taking care of themselves, but also how their loved ones can go on to lead fulfilling lives after a diagnosis – from keeping active to continuing to enjoy old hobbies.

Shirley Summerbell, Home Manager at Winchcombe Place, said: “Thousands of people each year are diagnosed with dementia, which can feel confusing for those diagnosed as well as their loved ones – which is why we’ve created our new guide, ‘One step at a time’.

“We were keen to host a fundraising event that local people would enjoy, as well offer an opportunity to visit the home and open-up conversations about the condition – whether that be within the community or seeking advice from a team member in a relaxed environment. 

“I’d like to extend a huge thank you to Baphomet Brotherhood biking group and Shaw Social Club – event was a huge success, and we’re so pleased to have raised £1,474 in the process. Everyone had a wonderful time, built new connections in the community, and began to open up around their own experiences with dementia.”

To find out more about Winchcombe Place, call Customer Relations Manager, Vicki Lambourne, on 01635 783098, or email vicki.lambourne@careuk.com

To find out more, Contact Home Admissions Advisor at Newbury Grove, Coral Elvin, on coral.elvin@careuk.com or call 01635 899543 or visit careuk.com/newbury-grove

To access the guide, please visit careuk.com/one-step-at-a-time

Winchcombe Place and Newbury Grove are state-of-the-art care homes which provide full-time residential, nursing, dementia and short-term respite care. The care home incorporate space for hobby and leisure activities and includes its own cinemas, hair salons and cafés.