A Glossop woman has praised a local NHS memory clinic for being a “lifeline” following her husband’s dementia diagnosis.
Maureen Leckie, 61, and her husband Robert, 67, receive support from Whittaker Day Unit at Tameside Hospital, run by Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust.
The service provides specialist sessions such as cognitive stimulation therapy, memory information and assessment, and additional support for family and carers.
The couple were introduced to the service in October 2024, when Robert was diagnosed with early-onset dementia.
Maureen explained: “We knew something was wrong, but a part of you still holds on to hope. It’s not until you hear the words out loud for the first time that your worst fears are confirmed. I felt like my world and my future had been torn apart.”
“You’re left grieving the dreams and plans you’ve made. I’ll never forget that day, but having Sue [Sue Slater, a support worker] beside us made such a difference. She was a friendly, calm, and reassuring face in the thick of our darkest hour.”
Since his diagnosis, Robert has completed a six-week memory and skills course, where he’s learnt to manage symptoms, find new coping strategies, and gain a better understanding of his dementia.
As well as emotional support, the team helped the couple with advice about work, finances, and the changes to their daily lives.
Maureen explained: “A diagnosis like this destroys life as you know it. There’s suddenly a minefield of information, and it’s very hard to understand what benefits you’re entitled to, and the proper process needed to get them all in hand.”
“The team took time to help us work through it all and gave us the right advice on next steps. It’s been an absolute lifeline, as I never would have known about the financial support open to us.”
Maureen also attends their dedicated carers support group, which she has found invaluable: “I’d never felt so alone. Even with wonderful friends and family around me, you need people who truly understand what it’s like to walk in your shoes. The carers group is a network of people I can talk to and make connections with.”
“We can laugh and cry together. It’s helpful to know that everyone is different, and we all have different ways of coping, which proves there’s no right or wrong way to deal with this.”
“The care team is made up of a diverse bunch of lively people who can boost your mood even at your lowest. I cannot thank them enough for everything they have done and continue to do for us. They are marvellous.”
Over 2,600 people living in Tameside and Glossop have dementia, with numbers predicted to rise in future years. Last month it was revealed that Greater Manchester ranked as the top performing region in the North-West for dementia diagnosis and second best in the whole of England.
Julia Cooper, dementia nurse, added: “All the evidence shows that the earlier a diagnosis, the better it is for the patient and those around them. It gives them the vital time required to understand the condition, make informed decisions about care, and access the support they need to live well.”
“Robert will soon begin cognitive stimulation therapy with us, which is an activity-based course aimed at improving confidence, social inclusion and overall wellbeing. And our weekly carer’s support group will continue, which helps with legal and financial matters, carers stress, coping strategies and much more.
“We’re so pleased to hear how our service is making a positive difference and helping Robert and Maureen through a really challenging time in their lives.”
