New Alzheimer's Centre opened

Harry Cayton, Debbie Keenan and Jennifer Brown by the plaque

A new facility in Durham and Chester-le-Street for sufferers from Alzheimer's disease and other dementias was officially opened on Friday 28 February.

Harry Cayton OBE, Chief Executive of the Alzheimer's Society and Director for Patient Experience & Public Involvement (Department of Health) came from London - and was met at Durham by a classic Bentley lent by specialoccasionscars.com - to perform the ceremony at "The Green", Nettlesworth.


The Green Day Centre from the main road	The Green Day Centre, entrance side

Kevan Jones MP

Also among those present were many who have helped make it possible including Cllr George Cowper who as Mayor of Durham 2001-2 supported the project with the Mayor's Appeal, Cllr Bill Laverick, Chairman of Chester-le-Street District Council, representatives of Lloyds TSB Foundation and the Northern Rock Foundation who made substantial grants for the project as well as friends, staff, carers and volunteers of the society's Durham and Chester-le-Street branch who helped make it happen. Kevan Jones, MP for North Durham, made a special trip from London to be present, returning immediately afterwards for Defence Committee meetings.

The new centre means that all the society's day care provision in Durham and Chester-le-Street now takes place in their own bespoke premises instead of in hired rooms.

The branch's Care Services Co-ordinator, Debbie Keenan said, "This new centre will provide a more effective and efficient resource to help our people and having everything on one site of our own means we can make it a more welcoming and stimulating environment."

The centre offers day care not just to the elderly but will also house the branch's project for younger people with dementia in the area.


Committee member Jeff Slack helps clear up after the event (left), but even Chief Executives have to earn their keep!

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