Submit a Review for Swaffham and District Mental Health Association
The Merle Boddy Centre, Station Yard, Swaffham, PE37 7JE
View Full Details of Swaffham and District Mental Health AssociationLatest Reviews for Swaffham and District Mental Health Association
07 August 2023
My wife (who is not able to communicate) has been attending the day centre twice a week for the last two years and simply loves it! She always leaves happy and smiling, she loves the staff and the activities they enjoy together. We have now decided to add an extra day to the week and this will help me with some free time. What more can I say, great place!
28 July 2023
My wife goes to the centre, two days a week to help her with her mental agility and give me as her carer, her husband, two days of respite, because my wife has rapid Alzheimer’s disease. All the staff and the manager are absolutely excellent and so very caring and are always very calm and attentive to the attendees, even though many of them are in severe dementia or rapid Alzheimer’s. I cannot speak highly enough of their professionalism and kindness. The meals they serve during the day are always very pleasant and acceptable, and although my wife cannot remember when I collect her in the afternoon I ask her what she had for lunch and what she’s eaten she always tells me it was lovely! I’m happy to recommend the centre to anybody, and I’m happy for the local mental health authority to speak to me personally if they wish further information as to this review
13 July 2023
Would like to say my father has been attending The Merle Boddy Centre for some time. He really looks forward to attending and misses the centre on the days he doesn’t attend. The manager and her staff deserve a huge thank you for the care that they give and for providing lots of activities to keep my dad busy and active. They always keep you informed on how my dad is doing good and not-so-good days. For us personally, they provide a safe, caring daily respite so my mum, who cares for him, can have a much-needed break.
13 July 2023
My parents first went to the centre for respite for my mum and care for my dad, who had dementia. They welcomed both of them, and given their different needs, were able to ensure they both got a huge amount out of it, with physical and mental activities, crafts, chat and laughter, safe space with a wider circle of people to enrich their lives. They went twice a week and enjoyed it very much. After Dad passed away, Mum wanted to continue to go every week. She lives in residential care and is well looked after, but going to see the team is the highlight of her week. She is greeted outside with a warm, personal welcome and taken in. The activities and companionship of the group she really enjoys, and she always tells me what project they are working on and what memories and quizzes they have discussed. Mum does not eat a lot normally, but lunch always gets rave reviews for dinner and pudding. She always has a great time and comes out laughing with the team. They are warm, caring and brilliant.
07 July 2023
My husband has Alzheimer's Dementia and has been going to the Day Centre for quite a while now. When he first started, he went twice a week; he now goes four times a week and really enjoys going. He can not wait to go in and doesn't even look back to see if I'm there, which is really good as he used to worry about where I was. They do lots of activities, games, crafts and much more, and they have a lovely home-cooked meal. The staff are excellent. They even have time for me if I need a bit of advice or if I am worrying. I would definitely recommend the Day Centre to anyone thinking of taking their loved one there.
07 July 2023
My mum, who has dementia, has been attending the Day Center for over 2.5 years. The first day she went, she was very nervous, but she said she was prepared to give it a go, and when I picked her up at the end of the day, she was brimming with joy, and as she got into the car, she said to me, 'I loved it, I've had a brilliant day'. Each day since has been the same. Mum loves going to the centre; the care she receives is fantastic. Anyone who has helped to care for someone else knows how hard it can be and how important it is to have a break. The Day Center offers the opportunity for the caregiver to have a break, but at the same time, for the person in need of care to attend a fun, stimulating and caring environment. We are so lucky to have this use of this facility, and I highly recommend it. It's good for Mum, it's good for her carers, and it's good for me. If in doubt, give it a try. Thanks to everyone at the Day Centre for your exceptional hard and caring work.
07 July 2023
My wife has dementia, and I am her carer. As people in my position know it's very tiring because you cannot think what they think.. the manager, who runs the Merle Boddy Centre and with her team of assistants, is really wonderful in the way the team deal with people whose minds, and often bodies, are affected by this awful affliction. The manager is so patient, capable, caring and tactful. We are all very grateful.
09 May 2018
After the death of his wife, and the onset of early dementia, Dad was becoming increasingly miserable and isolated, with a lack of motivation and communication. He was reluctant to do anything or go anywhere, and it needed some persuasion to take him to the Merle Boddy Centre. We went along together and we were immediately struck by the welcoming and friendly atmosphere, putting him and us at ease. He now goes to the centre 3 times a week and really looks forward to those days. He enjoys the company of staff and other attendees, the stimulation of playing games, singing and crafts and also the lovely home cooked meals. (He has put on a bit of weight since going there as he often has seconds!) The Merle Boddy really has made a big difference to his life and to his family as while he is there we know that he is well cared for and in a happy environment, and when he comes home he likes to tell us about his day. We have no hesitation in highly recommending the centre to anyone
04 May 2018
Dad had been struggling following a stroke when vascular dementia was diagnosed. We both went to visit Merle Boddy Centre and found it to be very welcoming, and I found it to be very informative. We stayed for the afternoon and enjoyed a cup of tea and a quiz. The Centre was able to recommend a taxi company to collect/return Dad (he attends one day a week) and they too are very helpful. Dad attends one day a week which gives Mum time to herself. Dad enjoys the meals very much and nothing is too much trouble for the chef to cater, as practically as possible, for any individual likes/dislikes. Dad can be quite quiet, but the staff have been able to encourage him into activities, which he enjoys. He particularly likes chatting with the staff about the reminiscent picture books they have at the Centre. The staff are very caring, both to clients and their families - they have really made a big difference to us, I cannot speak highly enough of them and would certainly recommend the Centre.
27 April 2018
This Day Centre is a lifeline to my 80-year-old mother and many more. The staff are so friendly and my mum loves going there. She said it's just like one big family. I can relax in the knowledge that Mum is being looked after and is having the lovely home cooked meals. The day centre is full of activities to stimulate the mind and keep them all as active as possible for as long as possible. I really can't praise the staff and this place highly enough as if my mum hadn't have started to come here I dread to think where her health, especially her mental health, would be now. I can go to work now knowing Mum is safe and happy. It means so much.
26 April 2018
Mum used to attend Merle Boddy twice a week and she absolutely loved it. The staff are so lovely, kind and patient. They provide a safe environment which is happy and positive. They arranged loads of different activities and Mum often came home with craft items they had made. They would play games to help stimulate her mind and also had people pop in to sing with them. They provided a lovely meal and according to Mum the puddings were amazing! When Mum became seriously ill, the manager and assistant manager came in their own time one evening to our house to visit her bearing gifts and flowers which I think is testament to their amazing care.
Latest Reviews for Swaffham and District Mental Health Association
07 August 2023
My wife (who is not able to communicate) has been attending the day centre twice a week for the last two years and simply loves it! She always leaves happy and smiling, she loves the staff and the activities they enjoy together. We have now decided to add an extra day to the week and this will help me with some free time. What more can I say, great place!
28 July 2023
My wife goes to the centre, two days a week to help her with her mental agility and give me as her carer, her husband, two days of respite, because my wife has rapid Alzheimer’s disease. All the staff and the manager are absolutely excellent and so very caring and are always very calm and attentive to the attendees, even though many of them are in severe dementia or rapid Alzheimer’s. I cannot speak highly enough of their professionalism and kindness. The meals they serve during the day are always very pleasant and acceptable, and although my wife cannot remember when I collect her in the afternoon I ask her what she had for lunch and what she’s eaten she always tells me it was lovely! I’m happy to recommend the centre to anybody, and I’m happy for the local mental health authority to speak to me personally if they wish further information as to this review
13 July 2023
Would like to say my father has been attending The Merle Boddy Centre for some time. He really looks forward to attending and misses the centre on the days he doesn’t attend. The manager and her staff deserve a huge thank you for the care that they give and for providing lots of activities to keep my dad busy and active. They always keep you informed on how my dad is doing good and not-so-good days. For us personally, they provide a safe, caring daily respite so my mum, who cares for him, can have a much-needed break.
13 July 2023
My parents first went to the centre for respite for my mum and care for my dad, who had dementia. They welcomed both of them, and given their different needs, were able to ensure they both got a huge amount out of it, with physical and mental activities, crafts, chat and laughter, safe space with a wider circle of people to enrich their lives. They went twice a week and enjoyed it very much. After Dad passed away, Mum wanted to continue to go every week. She lives in residential care and is well looked after, but going to see the team is the highlight of her week. She is greeted outside with a warm, personal welcome and taken in. The activities and companionship of the group she really enjoys, and she always tells me what project they are working on and what memories and quizzes they have discussed. Mum does not eat a lot normally, but lunch always gets rave reviews for dinner and pudding. She always has a great time and comes out laughing with the team. They are warm, caring and brilliant.
07 July 2023
My husband has Alzheimer's Dementia and has been going to the Day Centre for quite a while now. When he first started, he went twice a week; he now goes four times a week and really enjoys going. He can not wait to go in and doesn't even look back to see if I'm there, which is really good as he used to worry about where I was. They do lots of activities, games, crafts and much more, and they have a lovely home-cooked meal. The staff are excellent. They even have time for me if I need a bit of advice or if I am worrying. I would definitely recommend the Day Centre to anyone thinking of taking their loved one there.
07 July 2023
My mum, who has dementia, has been attending the Day Center for over 2.5 years. The first day she went, she was very nervous, but she said she was prepared to give it a go, and when I picked her up at the end of the day, she was brimming with joy, and as she got into the car, she said to me, 'I loved it, I've had a brilliant day'. Each day since has been the same. Mum loves going to the centre; the care she receives is fantastic. Anyone who has helped to care for someone else knows how hard it can be and how important it is to have a break. The Day Center offers the opportunity for the caregiver to have a break, but at the same time, for the person in need of care to attend a fun, stimulating and caring environment. We are so lucky to have this use of this facility, and I highly recommend it. It's good for Mum, it's good for her carers, and it's good for me. If in doubt, give it a try. Thanks to everyone at the Day Centre for your exceptional hard and caring work.
07 July 2023
My wife has dementia, and I am her carer. As people in my position know it's very tiring because you cannot think what they think.. the manager, who runs the Merle Boddy Centre and with her team of assistants, is really wonderful in the way the team deal with people whose minds, and often bodies, are affected by this awful affliction. The manager is so patient, capable, caring and tactful. We are all very grateful.
09 May 2018
After the death of his wife, and the onset of early dementia, Dad was becoming increasingly miserable and isolated, with a lack of motivation and communication. He was reluctant to do anything or go anywhere, and it needed some persuasion to take him to the Merle Boddy Centre. We went along together and we were immediately struck by the welcoming and friendly atmosphere, putting him and us at ease. He now goes to the centre 3 times a week and really looks forward to those days. He enjoys the company of staff and other attendees, the stimulation of playing games, singing and crafts and also the lovely home cooked meals. (He has put on a bit of weight since going there as he often has seconds!) The Merle Boddy really has made a big difference to his life and to his family as while he is there we know that he is well cared for and in a happy environment, and when he comes home he likes to tell us about his day. We have no hesitation in highly recommending the centre to anyone
04 May 2018
Dad had been struggling following a stroke when vascular dementia was diagnosed. We both went to visit Merle Boddy Centre and found it to be very welcoming, and I found it to be very informative. We stayed for the afternoon and enjoyed a cup of tea and a quiz. The Centre was able to recommend a taxi company to collect/return Dad (he attends one day a week) and they too are very helpful. Dad attends one day a week which gives Mum time to herself. Dad enjoys the meals very much and nothing is too much trouble for the chef to cater, as practically as possible, for any individual likes/dislikes. Dad can be quite quiet, but the staff have been able to encourage him into activities, which he enjoys. He particularly likes chatting with the staff about the reminiscent picture books they have at the Centre. The staff are very caring, both to clients and their families - they have really made a big difference to us, I cannot speak highly enough of them and would certainly recommend the Centre.
27 April 2018
This Day Centre is a lifeline to my 80-year-old mother and many more. The staff are so friendly and my mum loves going there. She said it's just like one big family. I can relax in the knowledge that Mum is being looked after and is having the lovely home cooked meals. The day centre is full of activities to stimulate the mind and keep them all as active as possible for as long as possible. I really can't praise the staff and this place highly enough as if my mum hadn't have started to come here I dread to think where her health, especially her mental health, would be now. I can go to work now knowing Mum is safe and happy. It means so much.
26 April 2018
Mum used to attend Merle Boddy twice a week and she absolutely loved it. The staff are so lovely, kind and patient. They provide a safe environment which is happy and positive. They arranged loads of different activities and Mum often came home with craft items they had made. They would play games to help stimulate her mind and also had people pop in to sing with them. They provided a lovely meal and according to Mum the puddings were amazing! When Mum became seriously ill, the manager and assistant manager came in their own time one evening to our house to visit her bearing gifts and flowers which I think is testament to their amazing care.