7, Manor Park, Banbury. OX16 3TB

Dementia Active originated in Aynho Village Hall on December 14th, 2018. Following years of fundraising, our premier centre opened in the autumn of 2021, shortly after we were granted charity status.

Dementia is an illness that can cause individuals to become isolated from their former friends. The importance of spending time with others who understand this isolation is immeasurable. Our goal is to foster a community where no one feels the need to apologize or be uncomfortable about their inability to perform tasks that were once simple. We encourage conversation, both socially—especially upon arrival and during lunch—and through more structured reminiscence sessions. Group activities provide a chance to engage playfully, with overall benefits including increased energy levels and enhanced cognition. Our diverse activities range from topical discussions and gentle exercise to dancing, arts and crafts, and performances by professional entertainers every few weeks. We provide a three-course lunch and refreshments throughout our sessions. Our groups are intimate, ensuring a high staff-to-member ratio. Additionally, we can provide local transportation to and from sessions for those without other travel options, in certain cases. Move info here.

Returning to our village hall settings, conducting sessions in a small, intimate environment is wonderful. It allows us to connect with our members on a more personal level, which is a delightful aspect. However, the limitation of village halls means we are unable to conduct more complex activities. Additionally, sessions in village halls are one hour shorter due to the time needed for setup and cleanup.

Freeland Hall is located in the village of Freeland, near Witney in West Oxfordshire. Nestled between the A40 and A4095, the hall is situated on Wroslyn Road, flanked by Pigeon House Lane and Blenheim Lane, directly across from the Oxfordshire Yeoman Public House. The front of the hall features a landscaped area, offering a welcoming approach, while the back boasts a secluded landscaped garden. Move info here.

Our sessions are currently running on a Tuesday for up to 15 people with dementia. ( More days to follow soon). With the help of the Carterton Food Angels there will also be a ‘Wednesday Warm Spaces Hub’, supporting the local community. The Food Angels will also use the centre as a base to distribute food to the local community and provide surplus food for the members of Dementia Active.

Carterton Day Centre for the Elderly is situated on the Schools Access Road, Lawton Avenue near the gates to St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School and Edith Moorhouse Primary School. It has been in its own premises since its inception in 1986. It was a traditional style provision for elderly people living in Carterton and the surrounding villages. 

Dementia Active have found many older people accessing this type of service may well have some memory problems, if not a full dementia diagnosis, hence the need for the respite and the type of sessions we run. For the more able seniors, and those seeking activities and company, the ‘Wednesday Warm Spaces Hub’ will be an ideal gathering.

The Centre will operate from 11.30am to 3.15pm, daily.  We aim to create a sense of community where no one need feel apologetic or uncomfortable about not being able to do those things which in the past would have been straightforward. Conversation is encouraged - both socially, particularly when people arrive and over lunch, but also in more structured reminiscence sessions. Group activities are opportunities to be playful. The benefits overall are raised energy levels and improved cognition.

We have various transportation available including a minibus and a disabled vehicle which has been adapted to take wheelchairs. The provision of the minibus means that members are not reliant on partners/carers to bring them and take them back home, thus giving partners/carers the maximum respite possible. Tea, coffee, and biscuits are served on arrival as well as a three-course lunch.

There will also be evening and weekend events throughout the year for the residents of Carterton, with the aim of bringing seniors and the young together. (See membership page for more details). Move info here.

Dementia Active is delighted to announce that from spring 2025 we will be running sessions for up to 25 people with dementia every day in our own centre in Chipping Norton. Named after one of our founder members, 'The Beverley Calvert Centre' has been made possible with the help of the 'Step Change Fund', as well as continuing local support from the people of Chipping Norton and Banbury.

Chipping Norton is a market town and civil parish in the Cotswold Hills in the West Oxfordshire. Sitting about 12 miles south-west of Banbury and 18 miles north-west of Oxford. 

The Centre will operate from 11am to 3pm, daily.  We aim to create a sense of community where no one need feel apologetic or uncomfortable about not being able to do those things which in the past would have been straightforward. Conversation is encouraged - both socially, particularly when people arrive and over lunch, but also in more structured reminiscence sessions. Group activities are opportunities to be playful. The benefits overall are raised energy levels and improved cognition.

We have various transportation available including a minibus and a disabled vehicle which has been adapted to take wheelchairs. The provision of the minibus means that members are not reliant on partners/carers to bring them and take them back home, thus giving partners/carers the maximum respite possible. Tea, coffee, and biscuits are served on arrival as well as a three-course lunch.

Have a browse though the bits and bobs, unwanted items and some craft items made by our members. You can also bring us your own unwanted items.  

We often meet potential members in their own homes to assess which of our groups they would fit into. That can be a little invasive, so we can now assess here, by appointment only. Do you look after someone living with Dementia? This often brings its own unique challenges which only someone who has similar experience can relate to. Are you worried about how to deal with certain situations? Do you miss contact with others or maybe need to know what help is out there? Do you struggle to cope? You are not alone.

Just being able to talk with others who have been/are in the same situation as yourself and your loved one can often be helpful. We are only experts through our own personal experiences, we offer friendly support in a private, non-judgemental environment.

Come along to our shop, relax, talk with us and enjoy a cuppa!

If you are new to Dementia Active, we welcome you.

If you are a full time carer and have no support, please do feel free to bring your

loved one along with you.

For more information, please reach out to our team or contact the Banbury centre directly.