Transport and rurality issues
“Getting here is probably the main thing, but that’s my problem. But I think it is probably a general problem.” – Meeting Centre member
“I’d say just transport would probably be their biggest issue.” – Meeting Centre volunteer
The location of a Meeting Centre can present some challenges, including how easily people can get there.
In rural areas people are more likely to have further to go between places – and public transport is likely to be less available. People living with dementia, and those that care for them, might be unable to drive, on a tight financial budget or have health or mobility issues, which can make things even more challenging. Some people may not have anyone who can support them to go to somewhere like a Meeting Centre.
If people have to cross borders into different areas or communities, that can also act as a barrier for some.
Recommendations:
- Support attendance by providing information and practical support for potential and returning members. This could include help accessing financial support with transport, or accessing community transport.
- It is important for the Meeting Centre venue to have a sufficient, accessible car park, or at least a safe and convenient drop-off point.
- Try to ensure promotional material and outreach activities target all places and clearly welcome all people within your intended catchment area.
Suggestions for health and social care professionals:
- Provide information and practical support for potential Meeting Centre members to access financial support with transport, or community transport, in order to attend.
- If there are different services, trusts or bodies covering different places in your area, ensure there is good communication between them about what is available where, and to whom.
Venue issues
“A place you can call your own, is important. Because the members themselves feel at home, and they take ownership of the place, and they feel comfortable at it because it’s consistent… you are where you are, and you are known and can go out into the community, and be a part of the community from a fixed spot.” – Meeting Centre trustee
“I think if we’d got a building that we could be in continuously, you wouldn’t be moving equipment all the time, you wouldn’t have to set it up every session – probably we could maybe offer more than we can at the moment.” – Meeting Centre staff member
“My first impression when I came a long time ago were those blue chairs… I couldn’t believe those lovely blue chairs, but then when I knew I was coming again I thought oh I do hope the chairs are there.” – Meeting Centre member
The venue a Meeting Centre is held in can be crucial to its success and sustainability. It is rare for a Meeting Centre to have use of a perfect venue that ticks all boxes. However, it is important to provide a space that is as accessible and welcoming as possible, and suitable for carrying out a good range of activities.
But that’s not the only thing to consider – issues raised by sharing the space with others are also important. When a Meeting Centre is in a fixed venue, and has exclusive use of that space, it opens up a range of possibilities. Staff can adapt the environment and give members ownership of it; you can make the most of having a presence in the community; and you can create a supportive community with others in the same building or area.
If the Meeting Centre isn’t multiple days a week, exclusive use is unlikely, which can create difficulties. If the space is shared, staff and volunteers may have to bring equipment, set up and pack away each session. If the venue keeps changing then the Meeting Centre may struggle to establish a presence in its community and members may lose confidence in its future.
A venue owner that is invested in and supportive of the Meeting Centre really helps to ensure it is sustainable.
Recommendations:
- Find a venue that is suitable for a range of activities and different needs. Ensure that the venue is a welcoming, accessible environment with good lighting. It should have more than one room for working with different groups or individuals when necessary. It is also important to accommodate the needs of people who may have additional challenges with mobility or hearing, for example.
- Seek a venue where the Meeting Centre can establish itself as a permanent fixture if possible, preferably close to the heart of its community.
- If exclusive use of a venue is not possible, seek one that you can share with other locally valued services and forge connections with them. Try to find one with storage you can use.
- Seek a venue where the owner benefits from hosting the Meeting Centre and is invested in its success.
Suggestions for health and social care professionals:
- Consider Meeting Centres as a possible user of any shared community spaces for joint health and social care services.
See also Reaching People and Membership and External Relationships and Collaboration
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