Morgan Sindall Construction helps to create Dementia Village on the Wirral for Challenge Anneka
Morgan Sindall Construction’s North West team recently rolled up its sleeves and helped build an entire memory village from scratch for people with dementia as part of a new episode of legendary TV show Challenge Anneka.
In a special challenge to tie in with Dementia Awareness Week, Anneka Rice and her team headed to the Wirral to take on this monumental challenge.
Working with Age UK Wirral, which supports people and their families suffering with this terrible disease, Anneka’s task was to build seven shops, a village green, beautiful landscaping and an onsite cafe for carers to sit in and relax. If that isn't enough the team also had to throw a party to celebrate its opening - all in just three days!
The team hit the phones and with Morgan Sindall and Senior Social Value Manager Gill Roberts on board, it's not long before the build gets off to a flying start with trades pouring in from across the Wirral and the around the country too.
Throughout the course of the amazing project, Morgan Sindall and its supply chain donated over £65,000 worth of materials for the project and over 250 hours of work. During every stage of Morgan Sindall’s involvement, Gill and her team shared its construction knowledge to ensure any problems could be overcome as quickly as possible.
The show will also see Anneka meet some of the families who will benefit from the Dementia Village. Despite not being able to communicate easily with some of the elderly people with dementia she finds a way to find common ground by breaking into song. Her mother used to sing My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean to her, and this song seems to strike a chord.
Our team and supply chain in action
Gill Roberts commented:
The work that Age UK does to support people living with dementia and their families is so important, and when Morgan Sindall and our supply chain heard about Anneka’s mission to build a Dementia Village, we needed no encouragement to get involved.
It was an incredibly ambitious challenge, and it was an absolute privilege for us all to go above and beyond to make this vital new addition to the Wirral a reality. We hope it is a source of comfort and happiness for families across the Wirral for many years to come.”
The programme forms part of a brand-new series of Challenge Anneka. Thirty years after she last donned her legendary jumpsuit, Anneka has packed her big blue truck, jumped into her famous buggy and has called on the selflessness, goodwill and big hearts of the nation in a range of inspiring challenges.
Challenge Anneka: Dementia Special will air on Channel 5 on Sunday 14th May at 7.30pm.