Prince’s Trust Create Dementia Village

Eleven young people from across Salford have helped create a unique Dementia Village at Pemberton Fold Care Home, as part of a Prince’s Trust project run by the Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service and City West Housing Trust.

The team, aged 17 to 26, put their skills to the test by transforming the home’s courtyard area into a traditional English village, complete with an allotment, sweet shop and tranquil gardens.

To fund their challenge, the team raised over £400 by packing customers’ bags at Asda in Trafford Park.

In just under two weeks the hard-working youngsters cleared the courtyard, planted flowers, built a garden fence, created an allotment and converted the old shed into a traditional sweet shop. Now the beautiful village provides a stunning haven for the people we support to relax and enjoy.

On Thursday 22nd June, Pemberton Fold hosted a celebration event, where the Right Worshipful Ceremonial Mayor of the City of Salford marked the momentous occasion by officially opening the Dementia Village. Guests included residents, relatives, and representatives from The Prince’s Trust, Salford City Council, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and City West Housing Trust.

The young people then gave a short presentation to the guests, sharing their inspiration for the project and what they enjoyed the most.

Team member, Charlotte Pearce, 26, said: “Working on this project has been very challenging in many ways but knowing that the work we have done will benefit the residents and will make them happy, so it’s all been worthwhile.”

Councillor Peter Connor, The Right Worshipful Ceremonial Mayor of the City of Salford, said: “The Prince’s Trust team have done an exceptional job and should be immensely proud of themselves. The village looks incredible.”

Julie Lindsay, Assistant Service Manager for Pemberton Fold and mastermind behind the project, added: “I’d like to thank the young people for doing an amazing job at turning our dream into a reality. It’s taken a long time to get here and we’re thrilled to have our Dementia Village open for business.

Julie continued: “It’s been wonderful to see the young group interacting with our residents, staff and relatives – everyone’s helped out. The people we support love it and not only is it great for their health and wellbeing, we also hope it will ignite special memories for them too.”