18/02/13….Day Centre chief ‘s hopes for a minibus – AGM report

THAME and District Day Centre Chairman, Tyrell Gillman, told the Centre?s AGM this week that he looks forward to a time when the Centre will have its own minibus.

Thanking volunteer helpers and drivers, he pointed out that the drivers use their own cars to transport members to and from the Centre.

“The Centre could not function without them,” he said. “To be in a position also to lease a minibus would open a vast array of activities outside those being provided in the premises we occupy, which will mean that we can offer improved benefits for our members.”

In his report, Mr Gillman highlighted the ever-growing need for the Day Centre, as the numbers of older people increase. He pointed out that there were two needs which are met by the centre: “We provide care and support for frail and socially isolated older people ?and, as a bi-product, can often provide respite for members? regular, day-to-day carers.”

He explained that regular attendance by members also enabled staff to detect any needs which might be missed when people were not always able to see the same GP, nurse or clinician. Speaking of his own experience, Mr Gillman added: “That?s important. I have been to see so many people and when I get a copy of a letter, it was sent by a guy whom I?ve never met to a doctor I?ve never met.”

The meeting formally adopted a new Constitution for the Centre, which is a Registered Charity. Mr Gillman said it would allow greater flexibility in dealing with any new challenges with which the Centre would have to deal. Also, with a view to the future, and to give a boost to the Board of Trustees, the appointment of four new trustees was approved. They are: Sarah Morris, Owen Davies, Alison Champken-Woods and William Heritage.

The Day Centre meets on three days a week at Thame Community Hospital, is open for 50 weeks of the year and provides a day out with a hot meal, entertainments and plentiful refreshments for people from our town and some nearby areas who are elderly, frail or, perhaps, isolated. All donations received are spent on the services it provides to members.

SOURCE: Contributed by Norman Brand
PHOTO: Tyrell Gillman, Chairman of the Thame & District Day Centre