Stop the closure of much loved and much used dementia clubs in Hertfordshire, previously run by Hertswise, and keep them as they are with the same staff we all know, love, respect and most importantly trust. Many lives will be devastated without the amazing activities, practical, physical and mental stimulation provided by this life line of a service. If the changes and closures go ahead ultimately it will break hearts as well as minds and take away joy in what's left of so many dementia lives.
If there's anyone with any kind of influence, who can help with this, no matter how big or small, please please help me and my mum keep our incredible club. It's been there for every step of this hideous dementia disease and we'll be so lost without it, as will so many others. 
Our current dementia club that so many of us adore and for the two hours we attend, both carers and those cared for can relax knowing we're in a space that gives not only highly effective mental and physical activities but somewhere to share our laughs, our tears and our knowledge of what's been and perhaps to come. We've never had any other club like ours. This year it was retendered and was won by Alzheimer's Society with a substantially lower bid that included no funding for activities or venue hire for our existing 25+ weekly groups across Hertfordshire. It's a funding and policy issue because Alzheimer's Society wouldn't have enough to continue running their dementia advisory service. Their experience of running what we had with Hertswise groups is unfortunately zero. My mum is devasted as are all who attend these clubs. The Alzheimer's Society as a charity are obviously incredible with raising money, however, their chosen total lack of information given to us regarding the take over shows they have no intention of keeping our clubs as they are. I'm heartbroken, as is my mum. For those two hours a week at our club I have a little piece of my mum back and on the 1st October 2024 that will be taken away from us. Our wonderful club facilitator Kerryn who also supervises and over looks all the other clubs in West Hertfordshire will be made redundant and that will be that. If anyone has ever watched the Ricky Gervais show Derek and recalls the Home manager Hannah, that is our Kerryn. Caring runs through her veins and she has passed this on to her team. What an incredible waste of such talent and dedication to lose, it's mind blowing. I've not been able to think about anything else since knowing what's to happen and my health is taking a bashing because of this and as my mum's carer that definitely matters. The two hours a week I have with my mum at this club gives me everything to keep giving her the best care she not only needs but deserves. In those two hours she changes and I have a little piece of my mum back. The mum who would smile and hold my face. They are literally stealing time from my relationship with my beautiful little mum. I've used the small amount of time I get to myself trying to write something to who ever I can find that may have some influence with the situation but in my heart and no matter how many tears I'm crying unless I've a fairy godmother/father out there I can't say for sure my heartfelt letter will change the minds of those in charge making these deplorably destructive divisions on so many of our lives. I'm broken and others will be too.

Please sign as soon as possible to give those in most need a chance to enjoy what they have left. If I could hug you all I would again and again 💙❤️ 

If any of you would like to contact those in charge of making these crucial decisions find their contact details below. Please be aware unless you add your name, address and a phone number in your correspondence they will not be answered or taken seriously.

lewis.cocking.mp@parliament.uk 
Hoddesdon North 

paul.mason@hertfordshire.gov.uk 
Hoddesdon South 
Deputy Executive Member Adult Care, Health and Wellbeing 
 
 
helen.maneuf@hertfordshire.gov.uk 
Executive Director Adult Care Services 

jenny.brace@hertfordshire.gov.uk 

Procurement Manager

jackie.albery@hertfordshire.gov.uk 
Director Of Planning and Resources, Adult Care Services Directorate 

Amanda.Harrington@hertfordshire.gov.uk
Senior Support Officer 

kristy.thakur@hertfordshire.gov.uk 
Head Of Community and People Wellbeing, Adult Care Services 

melanie.barton@hertfordshire.gov.uk 
Development Manager - Community Dementia Support & Hospital Community Navigation Service, Community and People Wellbeing, Adult Care Services. 

tim.napper@hertfordshire.gov.uk 
Senior Development Manager 

tony.kingsbury@hertfordshire.gov.uk 
Executive Member Adult Care, Health and Wellbeing 

coproduction@hertfordshire.gov.uk 
Board of Advisors made up from; 
5 experts by experience and carers 
5 adult care services staff 
5 voluntary sector representatives 

The following 18 email addresses are of the councillors whose wards cover each of the Hertswise dementia groups; 

steve.wortley@hertfordshire.gov.uk 
dee.hart@hertfordshire.gov.uk 
richard.roberts@hertfordshire.gov.uk 
eric.buckmaster@hertfordshire.gov.uk 
bob.deering@hertfordshire.gov.uk 
morris.bright@hertfordshire.gov.uk 
richard.butler@hertfordshire.gov.uk 
terry.hone@hertfordshire.gov.uk 
john.hale@hertfordshire.gov.uk 
allison.wren@hertfordshire.gov.uk 
sara.bedford@hertfordshire.gov.uk 
christopher.alley@hertfordshire.gov.uk 
paula.hiscocks@hertfordshire.gov.uk 
mark.watkin@hertfordshire.gov.uk 
tim.williams@hertfordshire.gov.uk 
s.giles-medhurst@hertfordshire.gov.uk 
james.bond@hertfordshire.gov.uk 
fiona.thomson@hertfordshire.gov.uk 

Just to make it clear, because of legalities, no individuals employed in the Hertswise project or Alzheimer's Society have encouraged me to express these views.