Lavender Mill is a Rutland-based day service offering community and connection for the elderly, isolated and those living with dementia. 

Sally Radford, who founded Lavender Mill, has over 23 years experience in care, previously working with adults with learning difficulties and dementia.  

Thirteen years ago, she founded her first day-service for adults with learning difficulties. They would take the group to do sports, dance classes and horse-riding, creating memorable experiences and building independence and confidence, helping Sally to realise the importance of activities and socialisation for elderly people and those suffering with dementia.

Visitors enjoyed a full Christmas dinner and live music (Photo: Lavender Mill)

When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, it became increasingly difficult to meet and socialise. During this time, she noticed a lot of her clients had deteriorated, made worse by loneliness and lack of stimulation. 

Once it was safe to do so, she re-started Lavender Mill. 

The service currently runs three days a week and offers a great variety of activities, trips and opportunities to socialise, creating a safe and welcoming space for adults with dementia and their care givers. 

At their current space in Cottesmore Village Hall, they have access to a full working kitchen, main hall and social space. This means they are able to do singing, dancing, go for walks and play table tennis, darts and bingo. 

Social area at Cottesmore Village Hall used for bingo, darts and pool (Photo: Grace Kennington)

The social area at the Village Hall gives visitors a sense of normality, like visiting a pub with friends while still being in a safe and support environment. 

They also have access to an outdoor space to enjoy the sun and fresh air in the summer, as well as going on walks in the beautiful surrounding area. 

During a visit in December, Nub News spoke to Sally, her team and those accessing the day service and witnessed first hand the transformation visitors have from when they first come in and sit down to just an hour later when they are laughing, chatting with friends and getting stuck into a craft. 

Christmas crafts (Photo: Grace Kennington)

Monica said: '[Sally] looks after us really well! She doesn't get enough thanks for it.' 

Rachel, another service user, said 'it's really nice coming here,' explaining how warm and welcoming Lavender Mill always is. 

If those reviews aren't enough to convince you, Lavender Mill also offer a free taster day for individuals and their carers to experience first-hand what makes this day-service so special.  

All of the staff at Lavender Mill are very experienced in dementia care, often with personal experience caring for their own family members and having worked in care themselves. 

Lavender Mill also creates a supportive and welcoming environment for families and caregivers (Photo: Lavender Mill)

At Lavender Mill, they understand that caring for someone, with dementia or other care needs, is a challenging and often isolating position.  

Sally is proud that they are able to be a 'massive support' for carers, opening their doors on the last Friday of every month to any caregivers to offer support, a safe space to chat and, of course, coffee and cake. 

Lavender Mill is more than a care service; it is a community.  

To find out more about Lavender Mill, get in touch with Sally by emailing [email protected] , phoning 07977 709588 or visiting their Facebook page. 

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Lavender Mill is a proud sponsor of Oakham Nub News. 

Support from local organisations such as them helps us keep our local news free and easy-to-read.