Swaffham Newsletter

Merle Boddy Day Centre
The Merle Boddy Day Centre provides
a warm and friendly Social Day Care
Service for people living with dementia
including mental health problems and physical
disabilities, in Swaffham and the surrounding area.
You may have realised that we did not in fact have
our Annual General Meeting in December. It was felt
that it would not be appropriate in the circumstances
of the then sudden critical illness of our dear
colleague, Jo Sutterby. Sadly Jo subsequently passed
away just before Christmas. Our deepest sympathy
and condolences go out to Jo’s family for this
devastating event. Centre Manager, Georgie Bell
said, “I have worked with Jo for over 6 years; she was
such a lovely person to work with, a very experienced
care support worker, and dedicated to our clients.
She will be sorely missed by all at the Centre.”
S&DMHA manager, Francesca Grapes said of Jo,
“She was a fantastic colleague; her love of crafts and
gardening was in regular discussion with clients and
staff alike and we will miss her love and dedication
for the centre and everyone in it.”
We recently had a very kind donation from the
family of Edward Carter from a collection taken at
his funeral. Donations like this are so appreciated,
helping us to run the centre.
We eventually held our Annual General Meeting at
the Centre on 11th January. Our accounts for the
year to the end of March 2023 were approved so
that they can be filed at the Charity Commission.
Plans looking ahead were also discussed, particularly
for the period 2024-25.
Work is in progress at the Centre to create more
space for activities to take place and allow us to
explore more ideas and activities in the future. This
will include our outside spaces as well.
If you are interested in our work and would like to
be involved, we always welcome volunteers, friends
and supporters to help us. In particular we would
love to hear from you if you are interested in the
provision of care of those who suffer from dementia
and would be interested in becoming a Trustee
of our parent charity, the Swaffham and District
Mental Health Association. We also welcome your
donations, small as well as big. You can give by
visiting our website and clicking on Fundraising,
where we have a link to JustGiving.
The Merle Boddy Day Care Centre is run by the
Swaffham and District Mental Health Association.
If you want to know more, find us on Facebook –
@merleboddycentre – or see our website -
www.merleboddy.org.uk – or email to us at
office@merleboddy.org.uk - or phone the Centre
on 01760 724527.
17
Manor Farm PPG
The members of the Manor Farm Patient Group
(somewhat belatedly) wish you all a healthy and
happy 2024. We were busy in the months leading
up to Christmas with our members helping with
the successful flu vaccine programme. We also had
a presence at the Wellbeing market organised by
Campingland PPG where we were able to meet and
chat to some of the patients who attend Manor Farm.
We put up a Christmas Tree and some decorations
in the waiting rooms to bring some Christmas cheer
for the patients and staff of the Practice, if you did
visit the surgery during December we hope we
brightened your visit.
At our December meeting we welcomed two new
members Carol Blackmore and Jeanette Reynolds, it
is good to see our numbers growing.
If you have a concern and would like initially to
speak to someone or if you are interested in joining
us and want to know more about our role within
the practice please contact us in the first instance by
email mfmcppg22@gmail.com
Our principle aims as a PPG are quite simple they
are to:
• Give patients and practice staff the opportunity to
meet and discuss topics of mutual interest.
• Provide a means for patients to become more
involved and to make suggestions about the
healthcare service offered.
Our notice board is located in the main waiting room
on the outer wall by the television screen if you are
in the waiting room do check this as we endeavour
to keep patients up to date with our activities and
items which affect the patients of Manor Farm
Medical Centre.
The Magpie Centre
Magpie Centre looks forward to Spring
Now that the festive season is fading into memory,
it’s time to look forward to the spring. And what
better way to put a spring in your step than a
Ceilidh/Barn Dance? The Magpie Centre, home of
West Norfolk Riding for the Disabled Association is
running this event, which features a caller and a live
band, on Saturday, 17th February at Stow Bridge
Village Hall, Holme Road, Stow Bridge PE34 3PW.
7.30 pm – 11.00 pm. Tickets, at £17.50 per adult
and £8.50 per child (13 years and under), include
a Hog Roast supper (with vegetarian option). Bring
your own drinks. This bright start to 2024 is bound
to be popular, so to book your places now, call
01760 337056 or email suer2006@hotmail.co.uk.