THE team behind a lifeline for dementia sufferers and their families has been singled out for praise.

Manager Joy Valentini and her three staff, along with five volunteers, run the

Leominster Meeting Centre

.

It is a place where people living with dementia can be helped with exercise, educational sessions, one-to-one meetings with support workers and advisers and therapeutic activities.

All the sessions are built around the hobbies and interests of the people who attend, and everyone is involved in shaping what happens in and around the centre.

Now the work of Joy and her team has been recognised by a nomination in the care team award category of the Hereford Times Health and Social Care Awards 2019.

Shirley Evans, who put forward the team, said: "Joy and her team work seamlessly and tirelessly together to create a happy and relaxed atmosphere where anybody would like to come.

"They provide a vital service for people in the community that does not exist otherwise, and the support is for the carer as well as the person with dementia. As one member said, 'I walk in and I feel like I'm with family.'.

To date 125 people with dementia and their families have benefited from coming to the centre. It is funded by a mix of grants, local fund-raising and a small monthly membership fee.

It is also a national demonstrator site, inspiring visitors from across the UK and internationally to set up similar centres."

The Hereford Times Health and Social Care Awards, which are now in their second year, will again salute outstanding work by individuals and teams in the health and social care sector across Herefordshire.

The 12 categories are: Care Team, Care Hero, Care Home Worker, Domiciliary Worker, Good Nurse, Outstanding Contribution to Social Care, Care Trainer, Dignity in Care, Dementia Carer, Palliative/End of Life, Mental Health Care and Care Employer.

Our headline sponsor is the University of Worcester, the region’s leading healthcare training provider.

A series of supplements in the Hereford Times and special coverage on our website and social media will promote the awards and publicise those shortlisted.

The climax will be an awards ceremony in September when the winners and runners-up are revealed, followed by a special supplement in the Hereford Times highlighting all the successful entrants.

Find out how to submit a nomination:

http://bit.ly/2VxQsxR