HOW WE BEGAN
In 1982 a dozen Penicuik people accepted the challenge to provide facilities
for the housebound elderly in the local community. Drawing on voluntary
support, the Broomhill Day Centre opened in January 1983. Using a borrowed
mini-bus, 16 elderly people were collected from home to meet friends in the
church hall once a week. They enjoyed a home cooked lunch and a varied
social programme and within 2 years we had 36 members attending with more on
a waiting list!
HOW WE EXPANDED
We moved to our current premises in Bellman's Road in July 1987 and opened 4
days a week. Thanks to 'Help the Aged' and the generosity of the local
community, a new minibus was obtained. In 1993 the premises were extended
enabling us to offer more places.
WHERE ARE WE NOW?
We are open Monday to Friday and offer 150 places a week to 100 members and
we continue to have a waiting list for places! We now have 2 mini-buses
collecting members from home to the day centre and return. 14 paid staff and
60 volunteers work together each week to ensure that our members share a
safe and comfortable environment to relax and be with friends. We are a
registered charity.
A TYPICAL DAY AT BROOMHILL
Members are collected from home by mini-bus and brought to the day centre.
Tea/coffee and toast or home baking is served on arrival. Members then enjoy
dominoes, cards, board games or crafts or simply a chat with friends. We
also have a weekly morning gentle exercise programme in place for those who
want to participate. A two-course lunch is prepared and cooked on the
premises daily — those with dietary requirements are catered for with an
alternative menu (or two!) always on offer to suit individual needs. We have
a varied activities programme in place with an activity or entertainment
organised each day following lunch. We have slide shows, sing-a-longs,
quizzes, reminiscence, flower arranging, arts and crafts; we also invite
talks from the community police, fire service and local councillors. Members
are taken home by mini-bus at around 3pm each day.
HOW ARE MEMBERS PLACED AT BROOMHILL?
Members are initially referred by their GP or health care worker or by a
social work employee. Members must live in and around the Penicuik community
— our area extends to Silverbum and Auchendinny — and must be registered
with one of the local GP practices. There is a standard referral form to be
completed for each member and they are added to our waiting list for
eventual placement. Prior to the offer of a place, a member of staff will
carry out a home visit to assess the member's needs. About 25% of our
members suffer from dementia.
MANAGEMENT/FINANCE
We are managed by a Committee consisting of 9 volunteers and by our Manager.
Our
Manager is responsible for the smooth running of the day centre and also
responsible for the financial aspects of the charity. We rely heavily on an
annual grant from Midlothian Council that covers about two-thirds of our
annual running costs. The remaining third is raised by approaches to various
Trusts by our Manager - The Lloyds TSB Foundation, The Robertsons Trust, The
Queensberry House Trust, The Henry Smith Charity and The Skipton Building
Society.
OUR AIM
Our aim is to provide a safe, friendly environment for the elderly people in
our community to come together and enjoy the company of others.
WHERE TO FIND US
We are situated next to the kitchen entrance of Penicuik High School in
Bellmans Road. (Next to the 'old' library building)
VOLUNTEERS
Please consider volunteering at the day centre. We have a variety of
volunteer work to be carried out so there may be something to suit. Please
call in and see us at 7 Bellman's Road, Penicuik or telephone us on (01968)
67810
