Plans to relocate the Dementia Resource Centre (DRC) to a new location in Peterborough are set to be discussed.
Cabinet Members will be asked to approve relocating the facility from its current base in Lincoln Road, Millfield, to Paston Farm Community Centre, ensuring the continued provision of essential dementia support services in Peterborough.
At the Cabinet meeting, taking place at Sand Martin House on Tuesday 20 January, members will also be asked to approve funding for the refurbishment of Paston Farm Community Centre (excluding the venue's Boxing Gym) as part of these plans. This work will include accessibility upgrades, internal reconfiguration, and compliance improvements creating a fit-for-purpose facility.
The proposal has been developed closely with the Alzheimer’s Society to ensure that the new DRC aligns with existing service delivery arrangements. It will provide a stable and secure base for dementia services while retaining sufficient flexibility for the council to respond to future commissioning or service model changes.
The new location also offers a good amount of space for the services provided by the DRC, including a designated building which could be used for one-to-one meetings, cafe facilities, social space and a good number of parking spaces which are close to the building.
Councillor Neil Boyce, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “We highly value the service offered by the DRC and know how valuable it is to the people who use its services and to their loved ones too. This is why we have worked closely with the Alzheimer’s Society to find a new home for this vital facility which best meets the needs of those who use it.
“After Paston Farm Community Centre became available, we felt that this would make an ideal location for the DRC. If approved by Cabinet, I look forward to seeing this relocation take place and the benefits it will bring to our communities. We will of course keep residents up to speed on our progress.”
Back in 2024 the council announced its intention to move the service from Lincoln Road to Bretton Library. This was because the building currently used by the DRC, which is owned by the council, was marketed for sale as part of a council commitment to reduce its property portfolio.
However, after the sale of the building fell through, the council worked with the Alzheimer’s Society, which runs the DRC, to reassess the options for the service in the future and consider other options for relocation.
You can read the Cabinet meeting report here.