Branch History

History and Funding of Woking Branch

November 1984	Inaugural meeting of branch. Carers Support Group formed
November 1985	First Annual General Meeting of branch
September 1986	Victoria Day centre opened 3 days a week at Woking Victoria Hospital. Staffing funded by Manpower Services Commission. Other financial and practical assistance from North West Surrey Health authority and Woking Borough Council.
January 1987	Official opening by Roy Marsden.
December 1989	Day centre moved to Rowley Bristow Hospital, Pyrford. Branch offered transport to day centre clients.
January 1991	Day centre moved to Kingsleigh Resource Centre (Social Services) in Kingfield. Open 4 days a week. Staff funded by Social Services and NWSHA. Premises rent free.
January 1993	Additional day centre opened at The Meadows, Moorcroft (WBC) Staff funded by Joint Finance. WBC grant for rent.
1994	Service Agreement signed with Social services for funding.
1995	Section 64 Grant obtained from West Surrey Health Authority towards costs. Grant from WBC.
March 1998	Both day centres combined at Smiles House, Maybury. Open 5 days a week. Premises provided rent free by Friends of the Elderly.
1999	National charity changed name and logo to yellow and blue. Now : Alzheimer's Society (dementia care & research)
March 2000	Branch & Development Manager employed by Bournewood NHS Community and Mental Health Trust and seconded back to the branch
October 2001	Outreach and Advocacy Worker appointed, funded by Social Services Prevention Grant.
May 2001	Move to Westgate (WBC premises - rent free) as Smiles House undergoing redevelopment.
July 2001	Administrative Assistant appointed, funded by Woking PCG Partnership Funding.
December 2001 Until March 2004	Introduction of Drop-In Café for clients and carers on alternate Saturday mornings.
2003	Funding by the Pyrford and Wisley Churches for four years. Dementia Link Project funded by Woking Area Primary Care Trust Partnership funding.
March 2004	Drop in Café suspended.
2004	Society celebrates 25 years and Woking Branch celebrates 20 years of caring in Woking.
2005	The day centre moved to St. Andrews Church Hall in Goldsworth Park
2005	Dementia Link Project funded by Woking Area Primary Care Trust Partnership funding has been extended for an additional three years.
2006	The Gimmmicks formed - a club for people with dementia who are aged under 65 years. This project was adopted by the Mayor and Mayoress of Woking as their Mayoral charity, 2006/7, and raised £56,000.
October 2007	We moved into the purpose built Bradbury Centre shared with the Friends of The Elderly.