Haslemere is so lucky to have The Hunter Centre within our community. The Hunter Centre is a local charity that was set up to help those living with dementia and their families.  It has no county boundary rules and they welcome anyone with any stage of dementia who can get to the centre and who would benefit from their support. Their Day Care Centre is open 4 days a week - on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Fridays from 9.30am to 3.30pm - providing vital respite to carers. And then on Tuesdays there is a group for the carers of those living with dementia.

Elaine Clement is Operations Manager there. Last week she held an incredibly informative talk at Oliver's aimed at sharing with others how Haslemere can become a dementia-friendly community. In short, this is a community where people with dementia are understood, respected and supported. She shared so many useful ways in which local businesses can become dementia friendly. Little things such as having pictures as well as words on in-store signage, having good lighting and removing trip hazards were all mentioned. Something as simple as business owners getting to know their customers so that they can spot when someone is struggling...

Elaine would love to get all local businesses involved. She has a pack full of useful ideas that she can share with local business owners and is more than happy to visit in person so that businesses don't need to take time out. That way staff can also understand how best to help those living with dementia in our community. The good news is that 2 local businesses are already leading the way. Oliver's and The Haslemere Bookshop - have both met the criteria to be awarded with the daisy badge to proudly display in their window as a visible sign that they are dementia friendly. 

If you are a local business owner, please do get in touch with Elaine to organise a convenient time for her to visit so that you can also proudly display the daisy badge to let everyone know that you are also dementia friendly.

Next week is Dementia Action Week and The Hunter Centre has organised a series of events in Haslemere.

On Saturday 17th May, they invite everyone to enjoy a traditional farmhouse breakfast at The Hunter Centre. Locally sourced ingredients mean you're in for a real treat!

And then on Monday 19th May, they would love you to visit them in their Virtual Dementia Experience bus which will be parked at the Haslemere High Street car park between 10 am and 4 pm. Their simulator here will give you the opportunity to understand what it feels like to live with dementia. Those  at last week's meeting that had tried the simulator in the past shared how they felt during this experience. Suffice to say, it's something well worth experiencing for yourself so that you can better understand what it feels like to be living with dementia.

On Tuesday 20th, there is an information hub for carers. This will be at the Haslemere Methodist Church (opposite the Esso garage) between 1.30 and 3.30. Loads of useful organisations will be attending to provide carers with advice.

On Wednesday, there is a Kindness Cafe at the Grayshott Sports Pavilion between 10.30 and 12.30. And then on Thursday 22nd, there is The Hunter Centre Open Evening at their premises on Grayswood Road. This includes what promises to be some incredibly useful talks. 

On Friday 23rd May, Howard from the Haslemere Hall will be showing the film Grey Matter at 7.30. There are still tickets available.

And, last but not least, to finish Dementia Action Week 2025, The Hunter Centre will have an awareness stall by the booking tent at the Hidden Gardens of Grayshott event on Sunday 25 May between 12 noon and 6 pm.

The Hunter Centre really do an incredible job to raise awareness and understanding within the community of dementia. Their support for those living with dementia and their families is so vital to so many people in our community. Please do show them your support during Dementia Action Week 2025.