A vital Dementia service in Powys has had a request for funding rejected by the local health board meaning it could be set for closure around Christmas.

Dementia Matters in Powys had a request for funding from Powys’ Regional Partnership Board rejected leaving the future of the service in doubt.

The charity host meetings for people living with dementia in locations across the, providing activities and vital support to families living with dementia and is “delivered for less than £1 a head per population of Powys”.

Sheena Atkinson has been bringing her husband of 65 years, Dennis to the meetings since 2019 and said it has been like “finding a new family”.

“It will kill me if this goes,” said Sheena. “Through this I have had enormous help. Dennis was having a number of falls in the house, I got in touch with the hierarchy and I got help straight away.”

The charity have said they were still hopeful they can “overcome this current crisis” despite the blow and said that “staff, members, carers, volunteers and supporters have been lobbying elsewhere too by attending the Powys County Council Day Opportunities events" in the hope that council commissioning officers hear “how much Meeting Centres matter to those living with Dementia, their carers and families”. 

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The charity also confirmed they had secured two small grants, from The Oakdale Foundation and National Grid “which have helped our situation slightly” but have said they will “have to make operational changes to survive this funding shortfall”.

The Regional Partnership Board which is made up of representatives from the voluntary sector, Powys Teaching Health Board and Powys County Council said that the charity had done “valuable work” but still were unable to provide funding.  

Powys Regional Partnership Board Chair, Kirsty Williams said: “We recognise the financial challenges facing services and partners within the Regional Partnership Board (RPB) are concerned about the potential impact this could have on people with dementia and their carers and loved ones.

“Our immediate priority is to work with Dementia Matters in Powys offering support and financial sustainability planning. We would want to ensure continuity of support for people accessing the service. 

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“The Social Value Forum (SVF) was set up as a way for third sector organisations to access Regional Partnership Board funding. I am pleased that Dementia Matters in Powys were able to receive funding through the SVF last year but unfortunately they weren’t successful this time. It’s a very competitive process as there’s a large number of third sector organisations in Powys, with decisions being made by a panel made up of several organisations.

Chief Officer for Dementia Matters Deborah Gerrard said "Our efforts of lobbying the Welsh Government has given us a glimmer of hope, with a question being asked in the Senedd by James Evans MS raising the issue of Dementia Matters not being able to access local funding.” 

Mr Evans said he had “reached out to Powys Teaching Health Board and the rural partnership board on this matter, because I was aware that there was a surplus budget in their funding this year” and asked “what pressure can the Welsh Government put on the regional partnership board to make sure that any surplus budget goes on supporting people with dementia.”

The First minister responded: “I've talked with the Minister earlier today. Welsh Government officials will intervene to make sure that if Dementia Matters feel they've not been able to have those conversations, they've not been able to put that case to those who have the funding, then we will make sure that they have that opportunity.”