New Care Village Provides Support For Dementia Carers in Southport
Belong Spotlights Community Support for Dementia Action Week
Engaging with community networks, being socially active, and accessing expert guidance are the cornerstones of caring for loved ones with dementia, says Belong, as the leading dementia specialist marks the return of Dementia Action Week encouraging the uptake of support options available to local people.
With the national campaign raising awareness condition underway, the operators of Belong Birkdale – the care village set to open on Oxford Road later this year – is sending a message to the thousands of people caring for someone with dementia in their homes, a cohort typically comprising family, friends, and even neighbours of those in need.
Statistics reveal there are around 1.8 million people providing some form of care for people with dementia in England.1 On average, these unpaid carers are spending about four working days a week (28.5 hours) providing essential practical and emotional support.2 A staggering one third of the total are providing more than 100 care hours weekly.3
Bridget Lawler, Admiral Nurse at Belong, comments: “In our experience, there are many, many families in the community muddling through the complexities of supporting a loved one with dementia. It can feel incredibly isolating and lonely, but our message is that you don’t have to go at it alone. Advice and guidance are out there, even when a formal diagnosis is yet to be made, so this Dementia Action Week, be sure to explore the options and get in touch.”
In recent years, the organisation has ramped up its community support, thanks to its not-for-profit status enabling its focus to be on people and their wellbeing.
Notably, its monthly B’s Cafe, a memory cafe offering complimentary coffee and conversation, provides both vital respite and social connection for carers, meanwhile loved ones can enjoy an activity offering meaningful engagement.
The sessions enable access to Belong’s Admiral Nurses, a service offered in partnership with charity, Dementia UK, which helps through advice and signposting. For example, assisting with arranging assessments with healthcare professionals, sitting in on social services meetings, or advising how to secure finance.
Upon Belong Birkdale’s opening, carers’ loved ones will also be invited to join its vibrant experiences programme, socialise and make new friends whilst enjoying arts and crafts, intergenerational activities or exercise classes, to live entertainment and excursions, either for free or for a small cost.
More formalised arrangements for specialist day care will be available under the Experience Days brand.
The organisation’s specialist home care service, Belong at Home, is already operating in the area from its Southport town centre hub. It supports older people in their homes, with personal care, domestic duties, and running errands, all whilst offering companionship. Bridget finishes: “It’s important to us that everyone has that support network around them – it's about caring for the carers. Even if it’s just them popping in for a brew, help is on the doorstep.”
More information about Belong Birkdale, and Belong at Home Southport, can be found at www.belong.org.uk or by emailing enquiries@belong.org.uk
1CENTRE FOR ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS RESEARCH. (2019). The economic cost of dementia to English businesses – 2019 update. A report for Alzheimer’s Society. Online. Article last accessed 18 May 2026 at: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/sites/default/files/2019-09/The%20economic%20cost%20of%20dementia%20to%20English%20businesses%20-%20edited.pdf
2ALZHEIMER’S SOCIETY. (2023). 4 out of 5 unpaid dementia carers take on the bulk of caring responsibilities. Online. Article last accessed 18 May 2026 at: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/news/2023-08-15/unpaid-dementia-carers-responsibilities
3AGE UK. (2025). Parliamentary Briefing: Dementia care. Online. Article last accessed 18 May 2026 at: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/siteassets/documents/reports-and-publications/reports-and-briefings/age-uk-parliamentary-briefing---dementia-care-june-2025.pdf
About Belong
Belong is a not-for-profit organisation, operating care villages with a range of housing and support options for older people, as well as extensive amenities in the village centre. These include bistro, hair salon, specialist gym and an entertainment venue with licensed bar. People can choose to live independently in a Belong apartment or within a supported 24-hour care environment. There are eight Belong villages predominantly across the North West of England, with another under construction in Birkdale.
Belong specialises in supporting people with dementia and nursing care is provided across the village. Residents live in small households, with modern open plan layouts to aid independence. Beyond frontline carers, all employees are trained in dementia awareness, from housekeeping teams through to bistro assistants, and the organisation also employs specialist Admiral Nurses in conjunction with Dementia UK, who work with families and our workforce to equip people with the skills and understanding to better support people with dementia.
For those living in the wider community, Belong operates an award-winning home care service, Belong at Home, which is ranked in the Top 5 in the country, and a bespoke day care service, known as Experience Days. For more information, see www.belong.org.uk