Twyford dementia day centre to close after 30 years

Age Concern Twyford and District is to close by November 27 <i>(Image: Paul King)</i>
Age Concern Twyford and District is to close by November 27 (Image: Paul King)
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A day centre used by elderly people with dementia and social care needs will close its doors after attempts to secure a new provider failed.

Twyford and District Age Concern, an independent charity, announced in August that it could no longer continue running its day centre due to financial difficulties.

Wokingham Borough Council has since provided short-term funding and worked with the charity to find a replacement provider but has not been successful.

Potential new operators were invited to come forward, with proposals assessed on whether they could deliver a sustainable service for local people in the long term.

The charity will now close, and the day centre will shut permanently on Friday, November 27.

Councillor Stephen Conway, leader of the council, said: "Firstly, I’d like to thank the incredibly dedicated staff who have run the centre in Twyford and District Age Concern for many years.

"But recently, the centre struggled financially, because day centres, such as the one it ran, are not as popular as they used to be.

"But there is still a need for a community service for older people; and we are determined to find a solution for the community of Twyford and beyond.

"The expression of interest process did not immediately lead to a solution and that is disappointing, but not the end of our efforts.

"We will now work with partners on a new expression of interest process that we believe may attract a different range of potential providers."

Although the charity was independent, the building it used is owned by Wokingham Borough Council.

The council remains committed to finding a future use for the site that benefits older residents.

It expects to relaunch the search for a provider in early 2027.

Councillor Conway said in August: "Like many charities at this time, Twyford Age Concern has been struggling financially and took the sad decision to close.

"We understand from those who used the centre that it is greatly valued and so we are exploring ways it could be maintained.

"We know the number of people attending the centre had been dropping and that is an issue we need to consider, but for its members, the centre provides a social lifeline for people who may otherwise become isolated."

Nich Crowson, chair of trustees for Age Concern Twyford and District, said: "Age Concern Twyford and District are currently in discussions with the local authority, members, and employees on how a service can be offered until a new provider can be put in place.

"We are grateful to the community for all their support in recent weeks and to our staff who have worked tirelessly through this difficult period."

The centre, based in Polehampton Close, Twyford, provided day care services five days a week for people aged 55 and over.

It supported around 50 people.

The council has asked Age UK to help affected families identify alternative services in the borough.

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