Welcome
ANSWER has been providing a weekend day care service under the name of Whitdale Saturday Break since April 1994.
Funding was approved by the Scottish Office and West Lothian Social Work Department through the Mental Illness Specific Grant. The group has continued to attract revenue funding from this source as well as local fundraising over the past twelve years. The project has taken place at the Whitdale Day Centre from 10am until 3pm. every Saturday and the daily programme has been provided by a part time coordinator, part time assitant coordinator and team of volunteers most of whom are over the age of sixty.
Twelve older people with dementia are brought in by mini bus and they enjoy a programme of music, art, quizzes, games, gentle exercise and discussions. Tea and lunch is also provided. charges are £16 per month using own transport and £20 per month transport provided.
Following the success of the group, the leaders of Whitburn Pentecostal Church who initiated the project decided that there was a need to increase the service to more clients and on additional days and in 1999 they met with Help the Aged to discuss ways of raising the necessary capital to achieve this target. A contract was signed in January 2000 on completion of a feasibility study and Help the Aged agreed to provide the group with a part time fundraiser free of charge.
The project has now raised almost £500,000 capital for the Day Care building. The Centre hosts two days Dementia day care, One day dementia café and a Community Café with Food Coop.
Other groups making use of the premises include ANSWER Housing Support Service, MOOD,SHEDS and Whitburn Older People’s Group.
ANSWER works closely in developing links with health and social services and raising the awareness of the needs of older people in the community. The project helps prevent unnecessary admissions to institutional care as well as educating older people in their rights to welfare benefits and how to access information technology.
The Housing Support Service and MOOD Project offices moved into the new building July ’06.
Whitburn Older People’s Group moved into a main street shop at 61 West Main Street providing an opportunity for older people to access funding sources and advice. The shop will operate on three days per week until March 2009.