The manager of a new dementia day care centre has pledged to put the individual first as she takes over the reins from her late sister who sadly passed away from cancer.
Jackie Wagner, opened up Forget Me Not (Suffolk Ltd) on Whapload Road in Lowestoft three months ago but it has only been running a month.
The site used to operate from a church on Saxon Road and clients of the service can get involved with singing and memory games.
In 2017, Mrs Wagner's sister set up a dementia day care centre at a church on Saxon Road but sadly developed lung cancer in 2019 and died a few months later.
There was no close family nearby to take over the business so Mrs Wagner stepped up to the mark.
It was due to open on March 19, 2020, but then lockdown was imposed and all staff were furloughed.
Fast forward a year and a half, and Mrs Wagner has a caring and bold vision for a centre which she believes is much needed in town.
She said: "We want to let the town and people know we are here and there is demand for our service in the town.
"We have capacity to take 10 people each day every Monday and Wednesday but this will be increasing to four days soon.
"We work with people with a diagnosis of dementia and personal care on a smaller scale than in a care home.
"So anyone in the community is welcome who needs extra care."
Mrs Wagner said they are in the process of getting re-accredited after Covid and still trade at Saxon Road Day Care but the name on the door is Forget Me Nots.
Mrs Wagner continued: "Our kitchen facilities here are great and our wonderful cook Debbie prepares meals for the people here.
"Our long term aim is to provide meals for people who use our services if they so choose.
"My staff were going in when they didn't know whether they were going to get paid or not and that is a testament to my sister because they loved her so much.
"I like to look at us branching out into the community and that is my aim, to continue my sister's legacy."
Get in touch with the centre on 07881 440654.
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