Established in 1985 when Rees Coghlan saw a need to provide services to the community, Aylsham and District Care Trust (ACT) has not only been providing services to the local area but has been expanding as the need has arisen and demand has increased.
Photos: Aylsham and District Care Trust
Although the ACT Centre is based in Aylsham, it also serves the people of Reepham and Cawston; its meal delivery service has been particularly popular for Reepham residents.
Today, more than 30% of the population is drawing the state pension and recently released statistics indicate that that this percentage will rise. In the Broadland region the population increase is predicted to be in excess of the national average with the number set to rise 9.5% against a national average of 6.4%.
The first half of 2025 has seen demand increase in all sectors. The ACT day centre, which is open from Tuesday to Friday, now has more people attending than ever to enjoy a range of activities including music therapy, seated exercise, nostalgia sessions, gardening and more. Care plans are individually created to ensure that each individual is cared for in the most appropriate way.
The Orange Blossom Café also goes from strength to strength with quality meals cooked on the premises, along with coffee, teas, various soft drinks and water, and a selection of home-baked cakes.
More than 500 meals a month are also delivered into the community to help those people who struggle to provide for themselves, while those who are able come to the ACT Centre to the lunch clubs where they can enjoy a hot nutritious meal in the company of others.
Meanwhile, some volunteers are ensuring that members are able to access vital medical appointments, some are taking people out on social outings where there are visits to local places of interest, while others are providing counselling services, helping people who need a listening ear and a bit of help to find their way through problems and issues they face.
“Reepham is only six miles away from the ACT Centre, which is situated on the western outskirts of Aylsham on St Michaels Avenue,” explained chief executive Philip Macdonald.
“We would be delighted to welcome you to our café, deliver a hot meal to you, take you on a social outing or ensure that you can get safely and efficiently to an important medical appointment.
“It is a challenging time for our community and it is a challenging time for us at ACT as more and more people seek our help, but we want to help all those in the area to live independently and well and to help overcome loneliness and isolation.
“We would love to have a conversation about how you can become a part of the ACT family and explain how we can support your care needs.”
For more information, contact Philip Macdonald on 01263 733385 or email.
