Alva is on the ball with new day care centre

A new Alzheimer Scotland day care centre was officially opened this month by Scottish football legend and famous TV pundit Alan Hansen. The centre has been in operation since January 2007, but the official unveiling coincided with the completion of the picturesque garden (which owes much to the green fingers of Falkirk Service Manager, Fay Godfrey) to the rear of the building.

LEFT: Alan Hansen cuts the ribbon (in Alzheimer Scotland colours, naturally!) to officially open the new day care centre at Viewfield Drive. Accompanied by staff members Lesley Corr, Anne Gray, Rachel Guy, Margaret Marr and Linda Smith.

This place is fantastic, it really is; the people do such a great job. It is a wonderful place to come to: there should be more like this.
- Alan Hansen

The Viewfield Day Care Centre has been converted from a one-storey residential building in the heart of a quiet Alva neighbourhood, ensuring that its users remain at the very heart of the local community. As well as hailing from the local area, Hansen has a personal link to the service at Viewfield Drive: his father has Alzheimer’s and attends day care at the centre. Hansen said, “This place is fantastic, it really is; the people do such a great job. It is a wonderful place to come to: there should be more like this.”

ABOVE RIGHT: Garden furniture means that service users can sit outside to enjoy the fleeting Scottish sunshine. Raised flowerbeds help frailer gardeners to maintain their passion for plants.

Lesley Corr, assistant service manager with Alzheimer Scotland, said, “It is a lovely place to work, and there is so much space where we can work one-to-one when needed. I’m chuffed to bits; thanks to everyone who has helped us get this far.”

LEFT: Soothing colours, a simple layout and cozy atmosphere make the centre feel like a home from home for service users.