Belong At Home paid partnership
Do you have questions over caring for elderly relatives? Would you like to explore what support is available locally?
There’s a cosy new place in Southport town centre where you can call in for a sit-down, a brew, and a friendly conversation.
Not-for-profit dementia specialist, Belong at Home, has opened a drop-in hub at 4a Eastbank Street, where you’re always welcome to call in.
No appointment is needed. The kettle is always on. Debbie Moore, the Belong at Home Southport Team Leader, and her colleagues are ready to sit down with you, to listen, and to answer any questions.
Read More: Belong names general manager ahead of multi million pound Birkdale care village opening
Belong at Home is the town’s new community care service, supporting older people in their homes in Southport, as well as in surrounding areas, including Ainsdale, Birkdale, Formby and Ormskirk. The team’s goal is to keep customers as independent as possible by assisting with one-to-one personal care, housekeeping, meal prep, and running errands, to organising fun excursions or simply offering companionship.
Debbie is particularly keen to introduce herself to local people and share with them the free dementia support that’s available to them, such as Belong’s Admiral Nurse drop-in sessions. These offer a vital first port of call for those who’ve had a dementia diagnosis and don’t know what to do next.
It’s a conversation that’s much needed when dementia is diagnosed in a family member or loved one – it offers far more than just a leaflet.
Bridget Lawler and Leah Rickards, Belong Admiral Nurses, are among the team you’ll also be able to find at the hub.
Through the Admiral Nurse initiative in partnership with charity Dementia UK, Belong offers this free dementia specialist support service to all Belong customers with a dementia diagnosis, as well as their family members and carers. The Southport community can access the service via Belong’s dementia cafe, B’s Cafe, held at the hub on the last Thursday of every month (10am–3pm).
Admiral Nurses are mental health nurses specialising in dementia care. They provide individualised support for family members, carers and people who have been medically diagnosed with any form of dementia.
Visitors can also drop in at any time to learn more about the ambitious plans for Belong’s multi-million-pound new Belong Birkdale care village, which is due to open in January 2027.
The organisation’s ninth village, its first in Merseyside, is set to revolutionise care for older Sandgrounders, with its award-winning ‘village living’ approach promoting independence and an active later life.
We called in to the Belong drop-in hub for a catch-up with Debbie.
It was busy, with Bridget chatting away with a family called in, and another team member listening to someone else who walked through the door while we were there.
The Belong drop-in hub is at the Lord Street end of Eastbank Street, close to nearby bus stops and Southport Train Station, so it’s very accessible for anyone who wants to visit.
It is open 9am-4.30pm Monday to Friday. On the front of the hub is a phone number which signposts people to support at times when the venue is closed.
Debbie Moore said:
“Opening the drop-in hub has been a brilliant idea. We have enjoyed seeing so many people walking through these doors over these past few weeks.
“It’s in such a brilliant location, it’s so easy for everyone to get to.
“The door is always open, and the kettle is always on!
“The response has been really good, a very positive new addition to the local community.
“Families have so many questions when loved ones are diagnosed with dementia, or if they’re looking for care in a place that is right for them.
“These are big decisions for people to face, and we wanted to open somewhere that was friendly, cosy and accessible.
“When you walk in here, we have couches, it feels cosy, you can sit down and chat.
“It can be daunting for people when you’re trying to get information through leaflets, or on the phone, or trying to make appointments.
“We want to take the stress away and make life easy for people. We’re keen to let people know that we’re here!
“We’re very much invested in the local community, and we have so much to offer.
“Southport is a great town to be situated. It attracts so many visitors from across the UK, especially when it’s hosting big events like Southport Flower Show, Southport Air Show, The Open Golf Championship which they had here in July, or Southport Comedy Festival, which is happening at the moment. There is always something going on!
“We have welcomed people into our hub from all over the country. It’s great because we have other Belong villages elsewhere, in places like Chester, Wigan, Warrington, Manchester and more.
“There is a really wide catchment area here.”
Lots of people have been calling in, inquisitive about the exciting new Belong Birkdale development which is due to open soon.
The new Belong village is being built to the highest standards of design, combining beautiful households, an innovative approach to nursing and dementia care, independent living apartments and a range of village centre amenities.
Facilities on-site will include: a bistro; a gym; a hair salon; ‘The Venue’, with a licensed bar and a big screen; plus beautiful outdoor space and gardens.
Debbie Moore said:
“It is such an exciting new development for Southport. I love what it is going to offer families.
“It’s a care village, not a care home,
“I remember the days when I was caring for my Gran. When I went to visit her [in her own home], I used to think it would be lovely to be able to take her out for a coffee, or for her to be able to experience a different environment. Something like this would have been ideal.
“I love that the new Belong Birkdale village offers a community within a community, with lots of opportunities to get involved, and a real sense of purpose and belonging.
“I have worked for Belong for 25 years. I am very passionate about the job I do, and about making a positive difference to people’s lives. I started out in Wigan and am enjoying spending time here in Southport.
“We are heavily invested in this community.
“We are proud to be sponsoring the Comedy Bingo Winter Socials, which start at Southport Market on Wednesday 21st October and then run every fortnight, giving people of all ages a fun and affordable way of enjoying a great afternoon out.
“We’ll be there with a team from Belong, we’re really looking forward to it!”
The Belong Admiral Nurse service is proving popular among visitors.
Debbie Moore said:
“Our Belong Admiral Nurses, Bridget and Leah, have spoken with lots of people who have called in.
“They have loved seeing the support offered and the connections they are able to make.
“We want people to know there is a lifeline here for them. You are not alone.
“Through offering the Admiral Nurse Service at this hub, people can come somewhere that is relaxed, friendly and informal.
“Passers-by can call in and find out more about what we offer.”
- More information about Belong at Home Southport and Belong Birkdale can be found at www.belong.org.uk or by emailing [email protected]
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