King's Award for Heather Club 

A charity based in a Baptist church which offers 'sociability and stimulation' to people living with memory loss and early stage dementia, and provides respite to their carers, has received a King's Award

 
The Heather Club has operated from Carey Baptist Church in Hemel Hempstead since being founded in 1981. It was one of 281 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups recognised in the latest awards, which are the highest given to local volunteer groups across the UK and the equivalent to an MBE.

The Club currently offers two days of day care per week to those living with dementia or memory loss. Its members enjoy a variety of games and craft activities, and a range of entertainment which provides the opportunity to sing, dance and participate in seated exercise. The club also provides a pick up and drop off service and a hot lunch.

This results in 'a friendly, happy, caring and safe environment for our members', while the activities help 'stimulate memories in a professional, compassionate and inclusive way'.

Crucially this also offers members' carers much needed respite from their duties. 

Kim Adams, Heather Club Manager, said, 'The Heather Club provides a bespoke and holistic approach to supporting those with memory loss and dementia – providing them with social interaction along with providing a much-needed boost to the wellbeing of our members and their families.

'A committed team of dedicated volunteers have created a unique atmosphere and offering that is constantly evolving to meet our members’ needs.

'It is such a privilege, to see how much pleasure our members get from their time at the Heather Club.'

The Heather Club is totally dependent on its many volunteers, be they volunteers who support the day centre, trustees or the people who volunteer their skills to help with a particular project, such as creating a website, logo, Facebook page, or entertaining the members.

Although its volunteers are now largely from the wider community, in earlier years there were a high proportion from Carey. All the church's ministers over the years have served in various capacities, including current Carey minister the Revd Colin Cartwright. 

Colin said, 'It has been a tremendous privilege, personally, to be involved with The Heather Club, first as a chair, briefly, and now as a trustee. 

'The Heather Club has been a fantastic caring community for many years, supported by our church. Impossible to quantify how many lives have benefitted from this Club, not only those living with dementia and their carers, but also the volunteers, trustees and staff.'

The Club was formed in 1981, the website explains, 'when Joan Betteridge and June Street, two pioneering and visionary ladies started discussing the potential for opening a day care centre for people suffering from memory loss at a time when very few people thinking about how the sufferers of memory loss and their carers could be supported.

'On November 30th 1981, The Heather Club doors opened to its first three members. Joan and June had spent previous months discussing what was possible with the local churches in Hemel Hempstead.

'The two pioneers realised that their vision for a place of care for people living with memory loss needed to be a place run with sensitivity and empathy.'

It has been such a place ever since, with the second day introduced in 2012. A short poem from volunteer Wendy Richards highlighted on the Club's website captures its impact:


I know a place where laughter reigns
Where smiling people meet
Those that come here have such fun
Each session is a treat
They're entertained and nourished
In body and in brain
As one big happy family
At HEATHER CLUB again




The King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) are announced on the King’s birthday on 14 November, and the Heather Club was one of just three in the Dacorum area to receive the award. Dacorum is a local government district with borough status in Hertfordshire.

Michael Rowan, the chair of the trustees, said, 'We are incredibly proud to have been awarded this honour, and to have the hard work of all who volunteer their time recognised.'