Council to transform dementia day services in Macclesfield

The provision of dementia day opportunities in Macclesfield is to undergo a transformation, with services delivered from the Brocklehurst Centre moving to a dedicated dementia unit at the Mayfield Centre.

The Brocklehurst Centre in Macclesfield has been one of the day services buildings that has been unable to remain operational due to the impact of Covid-19 and has remained closed, while people who attended the service have accessed alternative support.

A consultation and engagement process with a wide range of stakeholders including direct input from people living with dementia and their carers, took place between February and May 2022 on both the future of the Brocklehurst Centre and the future of dementia day opportunities in Macclesfield. 

Some of the key themes and feedback when considering future service provision, have centred around social interaction and friendship being important factors for people who attend dementia day opportunities. Having a safe and secure building is also a key consideration, as well as helpful, friendly, and highly trained staff.  The service being local and accessible to people in Macclesfield was another key factor for people who attend and their carers.

Councillor Jill Rhodes, chair of Cheshire East Council’s adults and health committee, said: “We want people living with dementia to enjoy interesting, varied lives where they can live well at home and be as independent as possible.

“The covid pandemic has severely impacted dementia day services to operate at full capacity and unfortunately, some services have remained closed.

“To best meet the future needs of people who access dementia day opportunities in Macclesfield, it makes sense to relocate the service to the Mayfield Centre where there is greater scope for development, it’s on a larger site with more capacity and could be used to develop different indoor and outdoor activities."

Some of the benefits of the relocation to the Mayfield Centre include:

• Better facilities including wider corridors, accessible toilets, and bathing facilities to support those with personal care needs
• Future proofing the service against any resurgence of Covid-19 with greater space to facilitate social distancing
• The ability to support more people and people with multiple care needs on one site, including those with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, and older people as well as people with dementia
• Greater scope for future service development as Mayfield is on a larger site and develop different activities both indoors and outdoors, and;
• The opportunity to re-use The Brocklehurst Centre site in a different way to benefit the local community.

For more information on dementia support and services in Cheshire East, visit:

Cheshire East Council living with dementia web page 

...or go to: 

Alzheimer's Society website

... to find support near you.