Services

Introduction

The Rosebery Centre is a Voluntary Organisation and Registered Charity (Scottish Charity no. SCO 21092). The Centre is geared to meet the needs of people of all ages with any type of dementia. The catchment area is Livingston, Uphall, Broxburn, Pumpherston, Mid Calder, East Calder, West Calder and Polbeth.

The centre which began in 1985 now operates from Polbeth Harwood Church, Monday to Thursday 9:30AM to 2:00PM. To provide the best experience we can, we limit attendance to 14 per day. Those who attend the centre are referred via social work but can be privately referred by family or carers contacting the centre.

The Centre is registered with SCIO.

Day Care:

This is activity led and focuses on the individual needs of clients. The main objective of day care is to facilitate social interaction and stimulation, but also provide carer respite. The aim is to provide a homely, domestic environment.

Snacks and lunch are provided, a record of the activities undertaken, and the menu for the day is sent home with each member, which enables discussion with carers and a means of reality orientation.

At the end of the day staff and volunteers meet together to reflect on the day and review each client, enabling discussion with carers and a means of reality orientation. There is a specific focus for their discussion, namely concentration, interaction, participation, memory, and how their appetite had been that day.

Members are allocated key workers, enabling continuity of care and are regularly reviewed on an individual basis by Staff. A taxi picks up the members and brings them to the Centre. The minister of Polbeth Harwood Church has a role of chaplain and attends the Centre to address spiritual needs and minister communion, if this is requested. There are a variety of rooms available for members, including a small chapel area and a quiet room.

The volunteers go through mandatory checks including Disclosure Scotland and are required to participate in training. Training includes, amongst other topics, manual handling and information about dementia. Specific training has been undertaken, e.g., aromatherapy hand massage and this is provided at the centre.

Day-to-day at The Rosebery Centre

Our day is structured, and our activities are tailored to those living with dementia. We start our day with a game aimed at getting our brains working before breakfast; our highly skilled chef provides a lot of home baking, which is enjoyed with a tea or coffee. We then move on to some short burst activities; we use a wide range of activities, lasting no longer than 40 minutes at a time. This helps to keep members engaged and interested. Lunch is served around noon, which consists of two courses. This will usually be soup and a main or a main and dessert. These are always nutritional and suited to the members’ needs and preferences. This is a good time for socialisation and chat to occur between members. This will leave us time for one more activity in the afternoon before home time. We also provide day trips, which include favourites such as canal trips, restaurant outings, and we organise music therapy and pet therapy days. We organise four party events throughout the year, which singers and performers attend to entertain our members.

The centre is a warm, caring, and safe space for those who attend. We have a dedicated staff team who are all highly trained and passionate about dementia care. We aim to play to everyone’s interests and strengths to create an environment built on laughter, fun and engagement. The Rosebery Centre also creates a great social aspect for many living with dementia who may no longer lead the fulfilling lives they once did; this can often lead to the loss of friendships and can create isolation and loneliness, which in hand creates less stimulation and conversation. The Rosebery Centre allows those attending to create friendships with others, to converse and be part of something other than their home life. It becomes part of a routine and gives some purpose and quality of life back to those living with dementia.

The Rosebery Centre also offers a befriending service which covers Livingston and The Calders. This was launched in 2020 during the pandemic and offers face-to-face befriending, which can be in the beneficiary’s home, a local coffee shop, or a place of interest. This is usually for a few hours per week and allows those who are not suited to the day care setting to receive some support to combat loneliness and isolation. We are always looking for volunteers who are PVG-vetted to keep this vital service up and running.

Testimonials from carers and families

“The service provided is exceptional, and the experienced staff are excellent. The staff provide key information in relation to dementia and complete support to families and carers. The high standard of service and care shines through every day.”

“Rosebery is a lifeline for my Mum. She looks forward to her two days a week. We really don’t know what we would do without them.”

“I don’t know what magic you have, but *** loves going to his club, so much so he starts asking on Saturday when he is going. He comes back smiling and far more articulate, and overall, you have given him a better quality of life and given me my life back, so thank you.”