Brain Longevity

In 2024 we are running a project, funded by the Oxfordshire Community Foundation, to promote brain longevity by reducing the risk of dementia. Each of our services are united in this purpose.

The Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation identify four pillars of brain longevity:

• Stress management
• Diet and supplements
• Exercises
• Spiritual Fitness (e.g. purpose, socialising, etc.)

We run activities that contribute to all four of these and our 1-1 support services are particularly pertinent to stress management.

Activities and Events

We run a number of regular weekly, monthly and ad hoc activities to help the community come together, learn and have fun! Our activities encourage both mental and physical fitness to reduce stress and promote good health and wellbeing.

We also provide social interaction and friendship in our warm, safe, centrally-located community Hub, where people can connect in a relaxed, welcoming and dementia-friendly venue, particularly via our activities and coffee mornings. We run classes and several support groups – e.g. for carers and for people with Parkinson’s – where you can meet others with similar interests. We can also signpost you to other organisations relevant to you. Our small team of volunteer drivers can also sometimes help with the connections, by bringing people to the Hub or to other local appointments.

Check out our ‘What’s On’ page to see what’s coming up soon (e.g. “communi-tea” coffee mornings, games and puzzles sessions and exercise classes among others). Our fundraising events are also lots of fun and a great way of getting involved in the community whilst raising money for an important local cause.

Information and Signposting

We help with information enquiries and can provide signposting to dedicated organisations and professionals as appropriate. Some of the information and signposting we provide are:

• Guidance for new residents trying to find their feet.
• Information about local care services and funding for care.
• If you’re looking for more than a chat or a listening ear, we can signpost to local counselling and psychotherapy services we are familiar with.

For more extensive enquiries we can arrange one-to-one appointments to support you further.

One-to-One Support

We provide friendly, local and one-to-one support. If you’re finding something worrying, or tricky, contact us to see if we can help. Just a few examples of the type of support we offer include:

• Help for those facing hardship e.g. with food bank referrals.
• Mental health support by providing a safe and confidential listening space.
• Help accessing online information, or making difficult calls e.g. to utility providers.
• Support with ‘Blue Badge’ applications.
• Carrying out benefits reviews to ensure people receive all the support they are entitled to.
• Assistance with applying for benefits like universal credit, attendance allowance, or carers allowance.

To access our services please just pop in, call or email us, or get in touch online to make an appointment – our staff and volunteers look forward to providing you with information and support.