Dorchester Abbey

Dorchester Abbey's Dorchester Festival is raising money in 2022 to support both the Abbey and Daybreak, which runs four day centres or clubs in Oxfordshire, providing care and support to help people live well with dementia.

Daybreak

Daybreak is unique in providing social and therapeutic respite days for people living with dementia, helping couples stay together at home, thus delaying or avoiding residential care

Daybreak runs four day centres or clubs in Oxfordshire, providing care and support to help people live well with dementia. These are Rosewood in Greater Leys, Lilacs in Kidlington, Limes in North Oxford, and Rowan in Littlemore.

Dementia is incurable but not untreatable and day club attendance is one of the few recommended treatments. We believe that with the best care and support people can live well with dementia. Our aims are to help maintain skills and abilities, to provide stimulation, enjoyment and companionship, and to allow family carers a break from their care-giving responsibilities.

For a significant number of our club members, we provide the only time they leave their homes each week and the only significant social interaction.

Dorchester Abbey

The scale and splendour of Dorchester Abbey bears clear witness to the historic patronage of kings and bishops. But today we live in a different age. The Abbey belongs to all who love it, from local worshippers, students and volunteers, to national and international musicians, artists and visitors from all over the world.

It costs £440 a day to maintain this magnificent building that hosts so many services and great festivals, musical and cultural events, and educational activities open to all. This great Abbey has existed for nearly a thousand years, and it’s easy to take its future for granted. But we’re entirely self-funded, and receive no support from the State or the Church to support our buildings or activities.