By Jack Evans
A LIFELINE dementia charity which has helped thousands of sufferers in Barnsley for more than a decade has launched an urgent appeal for help amid fears its doors could close for good.
Town centre-based Barnsley Independent Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support (BIADS) announced it’s facing severe financial troubles, plunging its future into doubt.
Established in 2009 with the vision of being an independent charity offering help to those living with the debilitating illnesses, it’s currently the only Barnsley service that exclusively provides support.
Linda Pattison, chief executive, told the Chronicle that a minimum of £15,000 a month is required to keep afloat.
She added: “We once again find ourselves in the very difficult position of reaching out to members of our community to help us save our services.
“We provide vital services for people with dementia and their carers and without additional help in the next few months, these services are sadly under threat.
“Unfortunately, we do not receive any statutory funding from local authorities and rely entirely on the generosity of our supporters to keep BIADS accessible to our members.
“The general economy is struggling at the moment so charities are always going to be the last on the list.
“We know when looking at our accounts that fundraising is down and donations are down, because people are just worried about spending money, because they don’t know what is going to go up next.
“It’s a tough time all round.”
Linda revealed its staff are working harder than ever to keep BIADS afloat but warned the coming months will be crucial.
“For years, my colleagues and I have fought to keep BIADS afloat, but it is becoming increasingly difficult,” she said.”
If we are forced to reduce staff or services, it would be devastating not only for us personally but more importantly for those who rely on BIADS for support.
“We know that access to alternative dementia support is becoming more limited and we cannot bear the thought of leaving our members without the help they need but sadly, unless we can turn our situation around soon, BIADS could be forced to close its doors entirely within a matter of months.”
The percentage of people being diagnosed with dementia is on the rise in Barnsley and the diagnosis rate for people with suspected dementia is currently 73.1 per cent the highest in two years.
This figure has climbed month-on-month from December 2021 when 66.6 per cent of people presenting to the hospital were diagnosed with the illness.
BIADS, based on Eastgate, currently provides carer support, an activities programme and day care services.
Linda added: “I know that for people who haven’t got a family member with dementia yet, they don’t think it will affect them.
“But at some point anyone can be affected by it and we want to be there to support them.
“For the people at BIADS it’s not just a job, it’s part of our being that we want to help people.
“I looked after my mum for 12 years when she had dementia so I know what it’s like.
“Had I had an organisation like BIADS around when I cared for her, life would have been so much different.
“We want to be here at the end of this year and the years to come to support those being diagnosed.
“There are 3,000 people in Barnsley who are diagnosed with dementia, and that number is only going up.
“If people want to help us, we will happily accept any support at all.”
Barnsley South MP Stephanie Peacock, a patron at BIADS, visited last week and heard about the challenges it’s facing.
“I know that many local people value the support that BIADS provides, and as a patron of the charity, I encourage anyone who can to consider donating to them or holding a fundraiser in your local community,” she said.
“As a patron I know the brilliant work they do supporting those with dementia and their loved ones.”
Barnsley North MP Dan Jarvis said he will be liaising with BIADS to assist.
“Witnessing the decline of someone you love with dementia is a profoundly painful experience that, sadly, too many in our community are all too familiar with.
“BIADS does important work, and it’s concerning to hear about their current struggle.
“I will do what I can to assist.”
