Swanky Wags – Coral Breeze Activity Centre for Dementia Care

Swanky Wags is an exciting new community venture in Paphos, centred round a crafts emporium, where local crafters, artists and small businesses have the opportunity to launch their ideas. We are Sue and Julie, two English ladies recently settled in Paphos, and we opened our fledgling project in January 2015. We have gathered together an impressive array of creative people, of all nationalities, under one roof. The shop is a co-operative and community endeavour, supporting several local charities also, and we have developed something unique here in Cyprus.

We now want to extend our community services to establish a respite centre for the growing number of elderly, frail and dementia sufferers in Paphos; a facility that is sadly lacking here at the moment. While the Alzheimer’s Association of Paphos does an excellent support job locally, there is a real need to establish a permanent daily option that focuses on assisting people in this difficult situation here in the area. This is why we need your help.

At Coral Breeze Activity Centre we will offer activity mornings/afternoons, supervised by qualified professionals, with games, gardening, singing, exercises and dancing, walks, craft activities, beauty care and friendly interaction. Our primary goal is the wellbeing of our visitors, ensuring that their physical, emotional and social needs are met, whilst helping them achieve their full capabilities.

Another vital aspect of the Centre will be to offer respite for carers who are often supporting partners every day, and all hours of the day and night. This results in difficulty completing everyday tasks such as banking, shopping and meetings for their own health needs. A respite centre will give carers a few hours’ opportunity to complete essential tasks, secure in the knowledge that their loved ones are in safe hands.

Consequently, we are hoping to raise money to help fund the new activity centre to provide equipment, staff and furnishings. We also need to ‘winterise’ part of the facilities with the acquisition of quality outside panels and heaters for the terrace. This would ensure that we can offer year round activities and events for our clients and to develop an essential specialist service for the elderly community in Paphos.

Last year we were lucky enough to acquire rental of an old taverna, which is ideally suited to our venture, and creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Our ambient premises have a lovely, large vine-covered terrace, perfect for our small cafe, where people can meet together or feel comfortable on their own.

Our large car park is used for monthly markets, charity events and car boot sales, which have also helped develop our community ethos. We are proud to be hosting local charity events in the next few months for The Paphos Kidney Association, The Alzheimers Association and PARC (Peyia Animal Rescue Club) and look forward to involvement with more events for worthwhile causes. Details are on our Swanky Wags facebook page and website.

www.swankywags.com and www.swankywags.com/community

Between us, we have made a huge financial commitment to the set up and continued growth of Swanky Wags and we would appreciate your help in achieving another worthwhile goal for our community.

Our Care Team:

Margaret has over 30 years experience in general nursing and as a specialist in Dementia care having obtained her university certificate in Quality Dementia Care through BUPA. Margaret established and managed their first specialist residential/nursing Dementia Unit which she managed for 15 years in Burnley, Lancashire.

Carin has over 15 years experience with the elderly and disabled in a residential care home, hospice and as a home visitor in Amsterdam, treating her clients with respect and dignity. Carin is also excellent in engaging with people through her painting and craft skills as well as her skills in manicure and pedicure treatments.

Margaret and Carin also display their handicrafts in Swanky Wags.

With our plans for the centre beginning to evolve, we are excited to have received interest from other skilled practitioners offering their services.