MEMBERS of a dementia support group in Barnard Castle have launched a petition to bring back a respected advisor who they say is the “heart and soul” of their sessions.
Service users and carers are keen to have their voices heard after the Alzheimer’s Society decided to not renew the contract of Nicky Tulloch, the dementia advisor for the Durham Dales, from next month.
Members recalled how Ms Tulloch was instrumental in making Barnard Castle a dementia-friendly town and helped launch the Singing for the Brain and the Games for the Brain sessions a couple of years ago. Members Alan Atkinson and Sally Davies are gathering signatures on a petition calling for Ms Tulloch to be reinstated in her post.
Mr Atkinson said: “People with Alzheimer’s don’t like change. My wife, Margaret, had Alzheimer’s so I have seen the benefits of the group. We want Nicky back. She is good and everyone likes her.
“Nicky has an effect on people’s lives. When I lost my wife she was there before and after.”
Ms Tulloch initially ran the dementia support sessions but still kept in touch with members when group co-ordinator Sharon Simms took over in July last year.
Carer Anne Brown attends the groups with her husband, Cliff, who was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s last year.
She said: “I am amazed and horrified that they have done this. Nicky has done and is doing a great job. If we have needed anything we knew we could call on her. You could not ask for anyone better.”
Mr Brown said: “Nicky is the heart and soul of the group. She is literally the last person in this field we would ever think would be surplus to requirements.”
The charity has acknowledged the importance of the services and explained that while on-going funding has been secured for the area, they have had to recruit to a number of posts in line with organisational policies and procedures.
Alzheimer’s Society head of region, Judith King, said: “Often when the funding of our services is secure for a longer term, it is normal for a fair and transparent recruitment process to be undertaken to ensure our services are appropriately staffed.
“We acknowledge the depth of feeling among service users and appreciate that change such as this can be unsettling for all concerned. However, we are unable to comment on any specific matters regarding individual employees. A senior member of our team will arrange to meet with service users in due course to listen to their concerns.
