BRISTOL’S Lord Mayor Peter Abraham was treated to a trip down memory lane when he officially opened the new Henbury Day Centre.
 

 
The Lord Mayor was invited by the centre’s oldest client 91-year-old Emily Tayhoe to join her at the organ for a sing-a-long of old music hall favourites to mark the opening of the Centre that has been given a £200,000 revamp by Bristol Charities.

Mr Abraham, who was accompanied by his wife Pearl, the Lady Mayoress, said he hoped Henbury Day Centre would be the first of many more such centres across the city.

He said: “I thank Bristol Charities for the contribution they have made in providing this wonderful and much needed, essential service in the community.

Older people want to keep their independence and it is centres like this that can achieve that. This wonderful centre has been achieved through a partnership project and I hope it will be the first of many.”
 

 
Barry England, chairman of Bristol Charities, said: “This has been a partnership between Bristol City Council and Bristol Charities. We at Bristol Charities are aiming to provide quality day services for older people.

“We hope this day centre at Henbury will be a model for more quality day services in the city of Bristol.”

David Jones, Chief Executive stated that ‘The Henbury Centre, is the first of a network of similar services the Charity plans to develop across the City.

Recent studies have shown that social isolation is a major problem for many older people, especially those who are particularly vulnerable (i.e. those suffering from Dementia and those with limited access to social or financial resources)
 

 
A recent report from The University of Keele highlighted that a significant minority of older people could be described as being socially isolated and/or severely lonely.

The Henbury ward has an ageing population, the fifth highest percentage in Bristol, with an increasing number of older people.

As part of the renovation, the day centre was extended and provides day services for up to 35 clients. Facilities include a fully-equipped kitchen and dining room where hot meals are served every day; a walk-in shower that can be used by wheelchair bound clients; a treatment room; quiet room; games room and main meeting room.

Transport, operated by Bristol Charities, picks up clients from their own homes and takes them back at the end of their day at the Centre.

The centre is open five days a week and is run by a team of experienced staff.

Client Emily Tayhoe said the day centre was her lifeline.

She said: “I love coming here. It’s where I get to see my friends. We have a chat and we play games and do activities. When you’re my age it’s difficult to get out and about, so I really look forward to coming here. It’s the best part of my week.”