Double round for the circle

Volunteer Circle of Friends (Denton) is celebrating after receiving a cash boost of more than £3,300 for its good work in the community.

Volunteer Circle of Friends (Denton) is first and foremost a dementia support group and first opened it’s doors in September 2018.

A dementia support group had previously been run by the local branch of the Alzheimer’s Society but, due to pressure on their resources, they reluctantly decided to cease the group.

Linda Smith, Freda Gregory and Ian Carter had been volunteering with that group for several years and they were approached by the manager of the local branch who asked if they’d be prepared to take over running a similar group on their own.

After some discussion the trio decided they would like to do it, and Volunteer Circle of Friends (Denton) was formed. 

The group is run by a committee of five and has been joined by five more volunteers.

The group is totally self-funded and have been very fortunate to receive support from local businesses, people fund raising on their behalf and, in particular, the group has received significant support from local Denton Councillors Denise Ward and Vincent Ricci. 

Denton Working Men’s Club have held two big fundraisers for the group this year to date - an Easter Raffle and a futher fundraiser last month - together raising a fabulous total of £3,345.

The group meets every Monday and Wednesday at Victoria Park Community Centre, Market Street, Denton,  between 1pm and 3pm and  welcomes people from across Greater Manchester. 

On Mondays the group enjoy activities and on Wednesdays they have entertainment including singers, choirs and a ukulele band. 

The Circle also organise various trips out to allow people to spend some time away from the home environment in a supportive group, for example with lunch and entertainment at a hotel in Blackpool.

Even though the group started out supporting people with a diagnosis of Dementia or Alzheimer’s, they are also happy to welcome people experiencing social isolation.

This is something that quite often happens to a spouse who has been a long-term carer for a partner living with dementia.