The Foxford & District Alzheimer’s Trust was established in 2012 by a dedicated group of individuals with a common goal of improving the lives of people affected by dementia and rural isolation in County Mayo. One of the founding members, Frances Casey-Maloney, initiated the Trust after her father, Dick Casey, was diagnosed with dementia, shedding light on the limited available services in the area. With the rising number of dementia cases, the Trust recognised the urgent need for increased community support.

To tackle these challenges, the Trust established FACT Social Club (Foxford Alzheimer’s & Community Trust CLG, supported by Pobal) to provide vital support and care for those affected by dementia in the area, as well as those facing rural isolation. After years of seeking support through funding applications and organising events, and with the support of the local community and Memories Charity Shop, FACT Social Club opened its doors in 2022.

FACT Social Club has been successful in delivering a wide range of services and activities to aid individuals living with dementia. These offerings include social outings, exercise classes, cognitive stimulation therapy, and respite daily care/support. The club has also established a much-needed support network for family members and caregivers, who often experience high levels of stress due to rural isolation. Additionally, the club initiated a fundraiser to purchase a bus to provide transportation for its members, addressing the issue of limited access to services due to lack of transport. This bus service has made a huge impact on how the Club Members are not limited to accessing support on days where their families might not have transport available to them.

However, the Trust also recognised that the rented day support service building would not be able to accommodate the growing numbers and demand for support in the community. Linked into the public sector, community engagement programmes, public health nurses, dementia specialists and local GPs FACT can reach so many families trying to find their way.

The creation of FACT Social Club was a pivotal step in addressing these issues, leading the way to seek funding and fundraise for a purpose-built dementia facility based in Foxford, County Mayo, set to open to the public in 2025. This was a promise that Frances made to her late father that has now come to light. The process has been challenging, but as they say, nothing great has ever been created or built from an easy road.

In summary, the Foxford & District Alzheimer’s Trust and FACT Social Club have had a substantial impact on the lives of people living with dementia and their families in County Mayo. Their unwavering dedication, hard work, and commitment have played a crucial role in improving the quality of life for those affected by this condition.