TWO team members from home care company Right at Home GF, caregiver Tasha Coleman and care manager Sara Woodley, jumped out of a plane to raise £1,451 for the Alzheimer’s Society.

While Tasha was very excited and couldn’t wait for the day to arrive, Sara felt a little differently.

“I was absolutely petrified. I kept having to remind myself why I was doing this. It was the most terrifying experience of my life and I won’t be repeating it,” she said.

They set themselves a target of £1,000 and invited family, friends and colleagues to support them. However, Right at Home clients also got behind the cause and pushed the total to £1,451.

Mary Jordan accepted the cheque on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Society at the official opening of the new Sunflower Cafe, a support group for people living with dementia and their carers.

She said: “I don’t know how they had the courage to jump out of that plane, but it’s great that so many people supported them and helped them raise so much for the Alzheimer’s Society - thank you.”

Right at Home GF has always worked very closely with the Alzheimer’s Society, Alastair Shanks, managing director of Right at Home GF is a Dementia Friends Champion and Mary Jordan from the Alzheimer’s Society has trained Right at Home caregivers in the specialist skills of caring for someone with dementia.

Now that the Alzheimer’s Society has had to step down from running the Dementia Cafe in Farnham, Right at Home GF has stepped in and will be keeping the support group running with guest speakers every fortnight in subjects such as vision and hearing, admission to hospital and exercises for older adults.

Alastair explained that they chose the new name, Sunflower Cafe, because sunflowers traditionally signify loyalty and longevity, as well as being associated with sunshine and happiness.

The cafe complements Right at Home’s other community activities, such as the Vitamin G gardening group and Singing for the Mind, to support those affected by dementia.

While Right at Home’s main offering is caring for people in their own home – whether on an hourly or live-in basis – Alastair Shanks is committed to helping people living with dementia and their carers to continue enjoying life in the community.

Alastair said: “Good home care is so much more than just helping someone get up and dressed in the morning. Companionship and keeping up with social contacts has been shown to be hugely important for a person’s overall mental health.

“By growing the number of community activities we offer and working with organisations such as the Alzheimer’s Society and Farnham Maltings, we are helping to create a strong Dementia Friendly community in Farnham.”