Specialist Day Care at the Haven

Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at the Henfield Haven, we welcome customers living with dementia and other conditions to spend the day with us.

Our dedicated team of staff and volunteers offers a variety of activities throughout the day including gentle exercise, target and board games, music, singing and arts and crafts. A healthy two course home-made lunch is provided, as well as snacks and refreshments throughout the day. Transport can be provided in Henfield, Steyning and some surrounding villages in The Haven minibus, equipped with an electric ramp.

Our staff can also deliver personal care to those who need a little extra support. The paid staff are supplemented by some of the wonderful group of around 60 local Haven volunteers. They carry out roles such as caring, café and kitchen support work, and tend the beautiful Haven gardens. They were all deservedly recognised with the prestigious Queens Award for Voluntary Services in 2020 – the equivalent of an MBE. If you have any spare time and would like to join the team, please get in touch.

Some carers look after their loved ones twenty-four hours a day, every day. We can give them a well-deserved break from their caring roles and the peace of mind that their loved ones are in a safe, caring and stimulating environment.

We receive numerous messages of appreciation for our services, particularly from the families of our customers. This came from the partner of one Haven customer; “The Haven has been a lifeline for our family, keeping my husband engaged in happy surroundings and allowing me to work without worry. I can never thank them enough.” A carer also commented; “The Henfield Haven is my lifeline.
I look after my wife 24/7. Twice a week I get the break I need knowing that she is safe and happy.”

At The Haven we also regularly run Dementia Awareness information sessions which are free for all to attend. The sessions give an insight in what it is like to live with dementia and how we can best support those living with the disease.

Thursday Club meets every week and offers a nice day out – a relaxed sociable environment with quizzes, musical entertainment, and stimulating games and exercises, with a tasty two-course lunch included. “I am very lonely since my wife passed away. I can’t get out much, so the Thursday Club is the highlight of my week. I smile all day.” Many Thursday Club customers live alone and can be socially isolated. For some, Thursday Club is the only day they get out of the house.

The Haven Café is open from 10am to 3pm from Monday to Friday. Everyone is welcome and we love seeing Haven supporters dropping by, as well as those who are bringing friends and family for lunch in our beautiful garden. We serve fresh barista coffee, so come along and enjoy a flat white or a cappuccino with some homemade lemon drizzle. We have an extensive menu including jacket potatoes, paninis and soups, and our delicious Daily Specials – such as curries, pies and quiches – not forgetting our popular Friday roasts (booking is highly advisable on Fridays).

Several support groups meet at The Haven including a Parkinson’s Café on the last Wednesday of each month and the Henfield Bereavement Support Group which meets on the first and third Thursday of each month.

Other activities held at The Haven include Creative Journal Making, Jewellery Making and the Green Garden Group, which meets every other Tuesday from Spring to Autumn. The Garden Group volunteers do a wonderful job of making our gardens look so beautiful.

We currently have some available places for Specialist Day Care days needs so please do not hesitate to contact Lorette Mackie, Haven Manager on 01273 494747 or pop into The Haven for more information about this, or the other services and groups we offer.

Digby Stephenson