Save The Dementia Gateway

21/05/2025

A huge thank you to Cat Eccles MP for the mention at PMQs today!

We're still very pleased that the campaign has been listened to and that Dementia is now being given the attention is rightly deserves in the borough 💪🏻

13/05/2025

Yesterday, campaigners from the Save The Gateway group gathered to celebrate. Everyone is delighted that this incredible centre will remain open, and that carers will be able to continue to use the Day Centre and other services here. Lead Campaigners Laura and Lisa were joined by Cllrs Pete Lowe and Andrew Tromans, as well as Stourbridge MP Cat Eccles.

Cllr Pete Lowe, leader of the Dudley DIGGERS stated ‘We are proud of the motion put forward by Cllr Denning to save the Dementia Gateway and are reminded of the fantastic speech by Lisa on behalf of service users where she stated explicitly that ‘Dudley Gateway must remain open for Dementia services’. We are pleased that this offers reassurance to our service users that they can continue to attend the Day Centre at the Crystal Gateway in Brettel Lane. We will work with all to ensure this service is maintained and as was said so accurately ‘place and people before party politics’ and this will allow us to further protect and enhance dementia services over the coming years”.

Keeping the Day Centre at the Crystal Gateway is key to so many people accessing such a vital service. The Campaigners and carers are overjoyed that the Council have listened to their voices and saved their lifeline.

12/05/2025

Today Lisa and Laura were invited by Carers to attend their support group at The Crystal Gateway to celebrate securing the future of the centre.

Carers are ecstatic that the Day Centre will remain open at the Brettel Lane building. Many simply couldn’t cope without it. Some have come to rely on the Day Centre and wouldn’t have been able to manage the day to day complexities of caring with someone for Dementia if they had to travel to the other side of the borough – for some a 40 minute journey.

They are delighted that common sense prevailed in the end and that the Crystal Gateway, which sits centrally in the borough, can remain open. Laura said, “We are still extremely pleased that the Dementia Day Centre is keeping it’s home at the Crystal Gateway in Brettell Lane. The Crystal Gateway is more than ‘just a building’ and is perfect for so many of those who attend. It was a joy to celebrate with carers whom, just weeks ago, were in tears fearing that they would be unable to access this lifeline service in the future”.

It would have been devastating for so many to see the Day Centre away moved from there. Now hopefully we will see the building used to its full potential around the Day Centre and, hopefully, see an enhanced service there for those living with Dementia and their carers.

The carers presented Laura and Lisa with gifts and cards to show their appreciation for fighting for something so important on their behalf. 💙

30/04/2025

So proud of our team! 💪🏻🥳

https://www.stourbridgenews.co.uk/news/25125059.dudley-council-wont-shut-crystal-gateway-dementia-sufferers/?ref=socialflow&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR5tV1pN-eeJ1b68GkA8QhwTSn2NtFf6pY1Sk6_n2cGEJ4kgJDK_SFaGvt0RbA_aem_LBp5Mclu3SvlUXCB3BsTMQ

Dudley councillors voted to scrap the closure of a dementia care centre near Stourbridge described as a lifeline service.

28/04/2025

🥳 WE DID IT! 🥳

Tonight Dudley Council voted to save the Crystal Gateway and gave commitment to prioritising Dementia Care in our borough.

We could not be more proud of our Lisa who gave a heart-warming speech in the Council Chamber tonight. She spoke from the heart and represented us all so beautifully!

Thank you to all of the Councillors who have assisted in this campaign, specifically Cllr Karl Denning, who tabled the Notice of Motion to bring the issue into the Chamber, and to Cllrs Matt Cook, Andrew Tromans and Pete Lowe who have been excellent, passionate supporters. 🙏

Thank you to everyone who has supported the campaign. There is still more to do as the Council reviews the future of Dementia Services. We finally have a voice, let it be heard so we can shape the future of the services that we rely on so heavily in such difficult times of life.

28/04/2025

We're now live at Dudley Council!

Shortly Lisa will be making a speech on behalf of the campaign - this will be followed by a debate and a vote!

👇 Watch live here!

26/04/2025

🥳 Thank you all for your support in signing our petition to Save the Crystal Dementia Gateway. We reached our target of 3000+ signatures and, as a result, the issue will be debated at Full Council on Monday!

🎤 Our lead campaigner, Lisa McDonnell, will be presenting our petition to the council including making a speech to highlight the importance of this issue.

🙋‍♀️🙋🙋‍♂️ Cllr Karl Denning has also submitted a Notice of Motion to support our cause, which will be voted on by all Councillors.

The meeting is a public meeting, and we’d love to have as many of our supporters there as possible to show just how important this cause is to so many!

We hope to see you there!

07/04/2025

It's been heartwarming to see so many people supporting our cause and thank you to so many of you for sharing stories of your own experiences.

Why not Become a Dementia Friend and help spread the kindness and compassion that is so desperately needed within our communities?

Become a Dementia Friend. Learn more about what it is like to live with dementia and turn that understanding into action.

05/04/2025

🙏 Thank you, thank you, thank you!

🥳We have reached our target of 3000 signatures! 🥳

We will shortly be submitting the petition to the Council and it will be presented at the meeting of the Council on Monday 28th April.

It's been a real journey talking to people about this petition, we have talked to SO many people who's lives have been touched by Dementia who were so happy to support our cause 🩵

Thank you again!

p.s. There's still time to add your name to the petition: www.savethedementiagateway.com

27/03/2025

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ceqj4n8ng3po

Dudley Council says closing Crystal Gateway will save it £500,000 a year.

27/03/2025

Some of you may have already seen a preview this morning on BBC, however the full piece will be aired tonight at 6.30pm!

27/03/2025

Have a listen to our Lisa on BBC WM this morning fighting for the Dementia Gateway! 💪🏻