In a bid to raise £120,000 for a second local dementia specialist nurse, a Purbeck charity has opened a pop up shop in Swanage, Dorset, to boost its fundraising efforts.
Due to demand, Dementia Friendly Purbeck is hoping to recruit another Admiral nurse for the area but still needs £80,000 to achieve its target.
The official opening of the shop in Station Road at 10 am on Monday 11th November 2024
Eye-catching forget-me-not flowers
The pop up shop in Station Road, next to Greggs, is easy to spot as it’s decorated with the charity’s logo of forget-me-not flowers.
The eye-catching flowers were painted on the window by the shop’s other neighbour Studio South, whose owners were able to use their artistic talents to full effect and were happy to help out a good cause.
Officially opened on Monday 11th November 2024 by Swanage town mayor Tina Foster, the shop is selling lots of donated pre-loved items including books, games and bric-a-brac.
It will be open 10 am to 4 pm everyday except Sundays, until Friday 29th November 2024.
Swanage town mayor Tina Foster was quick to spot a bargain!
The beautifully painted blue forget-me-nots cheering us all up in November
“Amazing work”
At the opening, councillor Tina Foster said:
“The mayor nominates a charity every year and this year I’ve chosen Dementia Friendly Purbeck because nearly every family in Swanage has been touched by dementia. It’s a cause close to our hearts and I thoroughly support the amazing work that our Admiral nurse does.
“It would be nice if lots of people pop into the shop and support the charity. There’s lots here that has caught my eye, and I’ve already made a purchase!”
The charity attracts a wide range of support!
The Dementia Friendly Purbeck shop is next door to Studio South, whose owners decorated the shop’s window
Make the dream a reality
Rachel Murray, Purbeck’s first Admiral nurse was appointed in 2017 following a campaign by Jean Gibbs, whose husband and sister were both living with dementia with little or no help available in the community.
But the need for the services of the Admiral nurse has increased so much that there’s now a desperate requirement for a support nurse to share the workload.
The aim is to raise up to £120,000 over the next year, to make that dream a reality.
Plenty of games to buy
And activity books to keep children entertained
“Overwhelmed by the generosity of people”
The treasurer of Dementia Friendly Purbeck, Mo Andrews said:
“We are running this shop for the next few weeks with a firm purpose – to provide the funding for a second Admiral nurse for Purbeck.
“The service here is overstretched, not only helping those living with dementia but supporting their families too.
“We’ve been overwhelmed by the generosity of people who responded to our appeal for things to sell in the shop, so do come in, have a browse and help us reach our target!”
As well as fundraising for the Admiral nurse, the charity also organises a community cafe for those with dementia and their carers at The Showbar at The Mowlem in Swanage on the second Tuesday of each month.
For those who like singing, the Dementia Friendly Purbeck runs a Singing for Pleasure community choir for all abilities on Thursday afternoons 2 pm to 3 pm at the Emmanuel Baptist Church on Victoria Avenue in Swanage.
Focussed on achieving their aim: Mo Andrews (left) and Sue Plowman (right)
“Cause is very close to my heart”
To raise the significant amount of money required, the charity’s committee has been thinking up new fundraising ideas. The shop was the idea of committee member Sue Plowman. She said:
“ This is just one way we are hoping to raise money to support those living with dementia and their carers. The cause is very close to my heart with family members affected by dementia.
“So we are really pushing to get a second Admiral nurse for Purbeck and are very thankful for all the support we have received, as well as all the help from the rest of the committee.
Once the shop closes, we’ll be raising funds at the Swanage Christmas Market on Saturday 7th December, so do come and see us then as well!”
Further information
- More about Dementia Friendly Purbeck
- Donate to the appeal through Just Giving
