Dementia hub planning proposal to go ahead on abandoned York site

A social enterprise in the region is opening a dementia hub as part of its plans to transform the derelict Heworth Gasworks site in York.

Social Vision, owned by York resident Joe Gardham, will collaborate with local organisation Dementia Forward to create a place where people living with dementia, and their carers, can get information, advice and opportunities to socialise with other carers.

The community hub could also bring together other local groups and charities by creating a place in which organisations can benefit. At this stage, partners on this project include the likes of Community Bees, Yorkey Dads, The Wilberforce Trust and Move the Masses.

Social Vision is also speaking to other groups to ensure maximum community benefits can be gained from this new space, and is encouraging other charities and groups to get involved.

Jill Quinn, CEO of Dementia Forward, said: “Dementia has no prejudice. It affects everybody - rich or poor, young or old, black or white.

“The people Dementia Forward supports built our towns and cities, served our communities, taught our children, cared for us when we were ill.

“We are very excited to be working with Social Vision and North Star to create this much needed space for the dementia community.”

Gardham previously told YorkMix the hub will also focus on mental health and wellbeing for men, and a sanctuary for children and families.

Local volunteer group YorkeyDads has supposedly been very prominent in promoting men’s mental health across the city, with regular classes, sports and social events.

Gardham said: “We are collaborating with the local experts on this one. Dementia Forward will help us to design the space to make it fully accessible and welcoming to people living with Dementia, including training all staff in dementia awareness.

“I don’t know anybody that hasn’t been affected by this health condition, and recent research shows 42 per cent of adults fear dementia above all other health conditions.

“We are creating a relevant space where people living with dementia and their carers can feel supported, informed and meet others sharing similar experiences.”

Jack Woodhams, founder of Yorkey Dads, confirmed: “We’ve been working with Social Vision for a number of years on various projects aimed at supporting dads and men who assume the role of a dad to socialise, discuss parenthood and build supportive networks.

“These peer support groups help tackle feelings of isolation, helplessness and suicide. The new space at Heworth will become our base, allowing us to host meetings, run activities and support more men from Heworth and the wider city.”

Other groups to have expressed an interest include Wilberforce Trust who run meet-ups for people with sight loss; Move the Masses who provide exercise classes for people who struggle with mobility; and Tribe York who provide incubation space and support for social entrepreneurs and start-up businesses.

The community hub could open in 2021, if the planning application for the regeneration of this long term derelict brownfield site is approved by City of York councillors.

The proposals have been put forward by York-based property developer North Star, along with Moda, a build-to-rent company and part of the Wetherby-based Caddick Group.

It will include up to 700 new homes on this long term derelict site.