A WREXHAM charity is celebrating after winning a prestigious award.

The Rainbow Centre received the Social Care Wales Accolade for ‘working with and listening to people with dementia.’

The accolade celebrates projects that put people living with dementia at the heart of their work so those living with dementia can achieve what matters to them.

Lisa White, day opportunities manager at Rainbow, said: "Having Dementia can be distressing for the person living with the disease and can be viewed as a barrier to accessing groups.

"However the disease also allows people to participate in activities without being as inhibited as they perhaps once were.

"We have used this to develop engaging projects which promote wellbeing.

"There is always lots going on at the centre including our Hensioners Project which cares for six hens living on site, our Dementia Choir, and the Goose and Goslings intergenerational project in partnership with our local nursery."

Mary Vernon, who accesses the centre, said: "I enjoy most things that they do.

"If anyone would have told me I would have consented to come three days a week I would have said no way, but I really look forward to it, and I think it’s very good.

"I’m very pleased my daughter talked me into coming."

Helen Orton, daughter of Mary said: "Mum was very inward looking, she didn’t want to talk to people, she didn’t want to meet people.

"Coming here has changed that dramatically for her, she’s more upbeat, she’s more like the mum I remember."

Geraldine Vaughan, operational manager at Rainbow, said: "We are delighted to be recognised for the work we do.

"It’s a real morale booster for our incredible team who work so hard to creatively support people with dementia, especially during such a challenging year.

"As a small token of our appreciation our Health Care Assistants were gifted with flowers and vouchers, as we were sadly unable to attend the Award Ceremony in Cardiff due to the current pandemic."

Sue Evans, Social Care Wales’s chief executive, said: “It goes without saying that this year has been an exceptionally difficult and challenging one for the social care and early years sectors.

"As a result, it’s more important than ever we take the time to recognise and celebrate the excellent social care being provided in Wales."

The awards, which are organised by Social Care Wales, recognise, celebrate and share excellent social care and early years in Wales.

The Rainbow Centre’s Day Opportunities Service supports clients across Wrexham.

It is open Monday to Friday, supporting people to connect with their friends and access a range of activities and opportunities whilst also providing assistance with care, nutrition, health and wellbeing. To find out more about the Day Opportunities Service telephone Lisa White at the Rainbow Centre on 01948 830730 or visit www.rainbowcentrepenley.org.uk