BRIDGES Community Centre have been awarded up to £44,200 by the Wolfson Foundation Awards towards major improvements to facilities for older people at Drybridge House in Monmouth.

The grant will support the refurbishment of the area used by Bridges’ Social Circles service, which provides friendship, activities, meals and support for older people, including those living with dementia or experiencing isolation.

Planned improvements including safer and more accessible entrance arrangements, a covered outdoor area, improved drainage, new accessible doors, and a dementia-friendly terrace and garden.

The funding will also help provide specialist seating, arts and crafts facilities, accessible games and a new Dementia Engagement System using music, sound, large-screening technology and tablets.

Mark Walton, Chair of Trustees at Bridges Centre said:

“We are enormously grateful to the Wolfson Foundation for this generous award.

“Insurance funding will allow us to replace facilities and equipment damaged by the flooding, but it does not cover the additional improvements needed to create a modern and genuinely dementia-friendly environment.

“This award gives us the opportunity to go beyond like-for-like replacement and create a safer, more accessible and welcoming space for the people who use Social Circles.

“It is another important step forward in the recovery of Drybridge House and in our commitment to building back better for the community.”

Mike Logan, Wellbeing Director said:

“Social Circles is about friendship, independence and helping people to remain connected to their community.

“These improvements will make a real difference to our guests, volunteers, careers and families, and will allow us to offer a much wider range of activities in a welcoming and accessible setting.”

Drybridge House has been undergoing extensive recovery work following the serious flooding in Monmouth last November. While the building remains temporarily closed, Bridges continues to deliver its wellbeing services across Monmouthshire.

The overall Social Circles improvement project is valued at £67,225, excluding VAT. An anticipated £23,000 contribution from the insurance settlement will replace facilities and equipment damaged in the flood on a like-for-like basis.

The Wolfson Foundation award will fund the additional accessibility, specialist equipment and dementia-friendly improvements that are not covered by insurance.

The grant forms part of the Wolfson Foundation’s latest round of awards.