Dementia ‘hub’ is on its way to Tangmere

What the new £3m dementia hub in Tangmere will look like when it opens in 2017

Planning permission has been obtained to transform a building in the City Fields Business Park into an all-modern, £3m centre.

The charity behind it, Chichester Dementia Support Group, hope to create a ‘one-stop-shop’ to support those with the condition, their families and the many dementia charities based in the Chichester, Bognor and Midhurst and Petworth areas.

Sabine Margarson from the charity said: “Since getting our change of use (planning permission), Chichester Dementia Support Group has been working with local architects to start developing drawings for the site which include a fantastic dementia garden and conservatory style café.

Chichester Dementia Support Group members outside the building in Tangmere

“We have also been working on finalising our five-year business plan and strategy.”

The next step is to raise £1.5m to buy the building next year and another £1.3m to renovate it in time for its scheduled opening in 2017.

From the centre the charity will provide a memory assessment service; a befriender’s service; information, guidance and support for those with dementia; group activities; and day care provision.

There will also be a ‘dementia garden’ and café within the hub, which will be ‘ideally located for people to meet up for a cup of coffee, lunch or afternoon tea, in welcoming dementia friendly surroundings’.

Chichester Dementia Support Group was set up in 2014 by Anthony Wickins, former chairman of St Wilfrid’s Hospice.

Dementia has been called a ‘national crisis’ with 13,000 people in West Sussex said to be living with the disease.

“We continue to welcome any input from people living with dementia and have hosted some groups here to test our plans and continue to work with partners, other dementia support services and charities to develop the services we aim to provide,” said Mrs Margarson.

“If you want to help us to turn our dreams into reality, please contact us at [email protected] and sign up to receive our regular newsletter.”

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