£37,500 in donations funds third Frances Centre to support dementia care

A new dementia-friendly space designed to provide non-pharmacological therapies and support the wellbeing of our patients has opened at the Royal Liverpool Hospital, which has been made possible by University Hospitals of Liverpool Charity, with major donations from Professor Sarkar and Sutcliffe Engineering.

The Frances Centre at the Royal allows patients to benefit from a wide range of therapeutic interventions in a calm and welcoming environment, away from the ward setting and is now the third centre across our hospitals, following the opening of the Aintree and Broadgreen Centre’s.

The Centre at Aintree was the first to open in May 2023, before Broadgreen’s Centre opened in April this year, following two generous donations from a Liverpool family. Professor Ananda Dulal Sarkar supported the creation across both sites in memory of his late wife, Frances, making a total charitable donation of £155,000, and leaving a legacy of the charitable work she did across her lifetime.

Professor Sarkar said:

“I’m delighted to be able to support the opening of a third centre in memory of my dear wife, Frances who sadly passed away in 2021, after being diagnosed with vascular dementia. The difference these facilities make to those suffering delirium and dementia has been wonderful to see, whether it be providing a calming space or enabling some form of independence. Frances would be very proud of this, as am I, as a legacy to the care and devotion she gave to others her entire life.”

The facility at the Royal has been established using dementia friendly wall wraps and safe, matt flooring to minimise the risk of trips and falls and was also part funded by generous fundraising efforts from Sutcliffe, who raised a staggering amount for University Hospitals of Liverpool Charity at their annual Spring Ball in July.

Sean Keyes, CEO at Sutcliffe, said:

“At Sutcliffe, we have always cared about the communities we work within, and our charity ball is our way of saying thank you and giving back to an organisation that has not only helped the Sutcliffe Team but also the millions of people who have used its services. I’m very happy that we surpassed our target and raised £90,000 for incredibly worthy causes.”

Natalie Hudson, Executive Managing Director for the Royal, said:

“A heartfelt thank you to Professor Sarkar, Sutcliffe, and everyone whose generous support and passion has enabled the opening of The Frances Centre at the Royal Liverpool Hospital. The benefits this dedicated space provides to our patients is fantastic and allows our staff to improve the quality of individualised care to those in need, whether it be enhancing care to support those with delirium and dementia or providing wellbeing opportunity to promote and aid in recovery. The unveiling of this space marks a very exciting milestone for our Royal site, and I look forward to seeing the difference it makes to our inpatients.”

To enhance the quality care that the Frances Centres facilitates, five STAR workers (Support, Therapies, Activities, Recovery) were also funded by UHL Charity and work within this space, bringing different life experiences and knowledge to assist the patients, bring energy, empathy, and encouragement, using activities and conversation to reduce distress and support recovery through stimulation and social connection.