As you head out of Haslemere along the Grayswood Road, you’ll have no doubt noticed the large yellow metal sign on the left with the daisy logo that marks The Hunter Centre. This is Haslemere spent a couple of hours with their team on a Monday morning in January 2026. An overnight dusting of snow on the ground had not deterred regular visitors from attending this day centre for their Monday activities which meant we got a good sense of how the facility is used and how incredibly valuable it is to the community.

We met Anne Downing, Chair of Trustees, who began by telling us that when The Alzheimer’s Society (AS) had decided to shut down its services in Haslemere, it was support from the community, councillors and the press that encouraged an initial three trustees to find a way to continue local dementia care. They were given a three-month extension provided by AS to set up an alternative offering. A huge amount of legal, policy, property and fundraising work was dealt with before the formation of a charity called The Hunter Centre which officially opened its doors on 17th August 2017. It was decided to name the centre after Dr Anne Hunter and her husband Brian in recognition of their role in supporting dementia care locally and nationally. Read more about the history and The Hunters’ involvement here.

About The Hunter Centre

The centre is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday each week. For £65 a day, residents with dementia receive 6 hours of care, with activities (art, music, crafts, exercise, bingo, jigsaws, reading, cookery etc.), refreshments and a cooked lunch. There is a large catchment area and individuals come from as far as Guildford to attend. On offer is personal care in a secure unit, with a dedicated team of trained staff. The attendees are kept well hydrated, they are cared for, supported, stimulated and occupied. In warmer months, attendees have direct access to a beautiful wildlife garden with lovely raised beds they can help with, bird feeders and a pretty circular path.

During our visit, we saw an exercise class in progress and, after tea and biscuits with soothing background music, the attendees took part in a quiz. Lunch was served and volunteers and staff shared the meal together around round tables. There is a high ratio of staff/volunteers to attendees. The level of care and attention we witnessed in our few hours there was exemplary.

The centre’s Operations Manager, Elaine Clement, and her Deputy, Denise Sawczuk, have over 25 years’ experience in dementia care. Staff retention is commendably high and Elaine and her team build rapport quickly with attendees and their carers. Whilst they have a set structure to the day between 9.30am and 3.30pm, there are different activities every day. As they have so much knowledge of this area of healthcare, they also provide practical advice, information and support.

Anne Downing told This is Haslemere:

“It is very humbling to be involved at The Hunter Centre. People may try to just manage on their own at home but to offer a happy day at the centre with respite for a carer means so much. Caring is often a 24/7 job. We are committed to the mantra of carers and their families living well with dementia.”

If you are caring for someone with a dementia diagnosis, The Hunter Centre also offers The Welcome Club every Tuesday afternoon between 1.30pm to 3.30pm which is an opportunity to meet others who know how you may be feeling. Some carers attend on their own and others attend with the person they are caring for. From 10th February, then every 2nd Tuesday of the month thereafter, they will be starting a singing group from 2pm to 3pm.

Testimonials on the website describe The Hunter Centre as a “lifeline”, “quite simply amazing” where “the level of support available is outstanding”, and it is “safe and stimulating” with “a lovely team and support”.

Fundraising

At launch, a fundraiser gave residents the opportunity to become founder members and this raised more than £40,000 for the charity. As mentioned, the charity charges residents £65 to attend the centre for a day. This daily charge, however, does not cover the cost of The Hunter Centre’s team of experienced and highly trained staff all of whom have worked for many years with the elderly and, specifically, with those living with dementia. It means that the charity relies on donations, fundraising and grants. Anne explained that golf courses in Hindhead, Liphook, Worplesdon and Cowdray have generously supported The Hunter Centre. They hold regular bridge events, fundraising concerts, craft and sponsored events. Do get in touch if you’d like to be involved with fundraising for The Hunter Centre.

Volunteering

The Hunter Centre would love to speak to individuals who might be interested in becoming trustees. They are especially keen to meet individuals who may have a medical background, someone who has experience running a small business, or someone with a legal background. Underpinning all these skills may be individuals who may have experience of a family member or friend who has lived with dementia.

As well as trustees, the centre would like volunteers to offer general help or support with activities. You could help in the kitchen with making teas or loading the dishwasher, maybe you could run a music, cookery or art session.

From The Heart

For This is Haslemere, writing this Spotlight feature to raise awareness feels personal. Our volunteer who visited had a grandmother, mother and aunt who all lived with dementia. Had a facility like The Hunter Centre been available where they had lived, they really could have lived well with dementia.

The Hunter Centre Website

The Hunter Centre on Facebook

The Hunter Centre on Instagram