14 December 2010
Dr Jonathan Spencer, Chairman of the Church of England Pensions
Board, has opened The Allan Bridgewater Wing at the Board's
Manormead Care Home in Hindhead, Surrey (on Monday, December 13th).
The new wing was blessed by the Bishop of Dudley, the Rt Revd David
Walker, who chairs the Board's Housing Committee.
This extension to the home's existing facilities provides a
seven-bed dementia care unit, the first at any of the Board's
homes. A main purpose is to make it easier for couples to remain
together after the onset of dementia.
The new wing has been named after the late Allan Bridgewater,
who was the Board's chairman for 11 years.
Dr Spencer said: "I know that Allan would have been delighted
that the Board has taken this further step to widen the range of
services which it can provide to retired clergy. Many of us have
had, or will have, experience of dementia within our own circle of
family and friends. I know how reassuring it will be for clergy
families who find themselves in this position to know that the
Board can provide some help in this area."
The Bishop of Dudley said: "It is important for people who have
dementia to remain very much part of the Christian community and to
worship and contribute to this community. This new unit at
Manormead enables them to do so."