Last Tuesday saw the grand opening of Knightswood's dedicated support centre, 'Me, Myself & I', specifically caring for those living with advanced dementia.

A totally unique day care service, Me, Myself & I (MM&I) cares for up to six clients a day, meaning carers engage almost one-to-one to meet high needs and keep clients motivated and reassured. Knightswood has always supported those living with dementia. However, as clients' needs increase, it is evident those with advanced dementia need more one-to-one care in a different setting, away from the energy of the more sociable lounge of Knightswood, which welcomes up to 18 to 20 clients a day.

"It's the Dengie at its best." Nick Alston, High Sheriff of Essex

More than 900,000 people live with dementia in the UK today. And that number is set to keep rising.

Knightswood recognises the need to provide more support to those affected in the Maldon and Dengie area. MM&I, an extension to Knightswood's main day care centre, provides a setting of calm with professional care and motivating activities specifically tailored to stimulate mental and physical wellbeing.

MM&I includes:

• Sensory Room, a haven of sight, sound, touch and movement.
• Activities Room, a hub for getting creative with arts, crafts and baking.
• Games such as hockey and hoopla to exercise coordination.
• The Way Back, our interactive virtual reality device, taking people back to the Queen's Coronation and the 1966 World Cup.
• Tiny Tablet – our supersized touchscreen tablet with interactive apps for colouring in, drawing, games, music and quizzes.
• Personal care for those that need it, treated with dignity and empathy.
• Transport to pick up and take clients safely home.

The Grand Opening saw a host of VIP guests, including the newly appointed High Sheriff of Essex, Nick Alston, the Mayor of Burnham Vanessa Bell, Maldon CVS, and the Alzheimer's Society.

Not only was the 12th April the official launch of the support centre but it also marked the first year anniversary of MM&I starting as a small group at Knightswood's main day centre.

A year ago, three clients from Knightswood, spent their first day at the MM&I group. Their names were Chris, Frances and John. They were Knightswood's reason for starting MM&I.

Nicola Saich-Kersey, MM&I Senior Team Leader, said: "We could see their needs were advancing and we needed to support them in a different way."

"They thrived at MM&I. We did whatever they wanted to do, whenever they wanted to do it."

"Every single client is special because we spend so much time with them."

The opening of MM&I enables Knightswood to expand its support from one day a week to three days, hoping to increase to five days a week. This has also enabled Knightswood to open its main day centre on a Monday again because demand has been so great.

A much needed support service for not only the clients themselves but their families too, allowing them some vital respite.

Caring for someone with dementia can be extremely hard, often leading to feelings of stress, frustration and guilt.

The Knightswood team believes that their support is just as important for the families and carers as it is for the clients themselves.

"A day at Knightswood provides invaluable respite to families who become carers," said Julie Vannuffel, from the MM&I Care Team.

"For them, it's a 24/7 responsibility so with our help, they get some precious time back to themselves."

With Knightswood's fleet of accessible transport, clients can be collected and taken safely home, giving that little bit more breathing space.

The event saw great support from local companies including The Original Factory Shop in Burnham, supplying the balloons, Marts Parts for donating colourful paint for the Sensory Room, Lady Room Cakes and Ponds Kitchen for making cakes and their army of local volunteers who helped with all of the finishing touches.

Knightswood is a self-funded charity and it's thanks to outside funding that the new MM&I Support Centre could be a reality.

Knightswood received funding from:

• The Bill Southern Legacy Fund
• The Royal Warranty Committee
• Essex Community Foundation
• Middlewick Wind Farm Community Fund
• Essex County Council's Locality Fund and Covid Response Fund

Knightswood, is a registered charity in Asheldham, offering respite, care and friendship for the vulnerable and often socially isolated members of the community and those living with dementia. For more information, visit the website, call 01621 772273 or email [email protected]