Testimonials
‘My family and I feel so blessed to have received the help from the Filo Project. At times you can feel a little lost and overwhelmed when living with Alzheimer’s but they really have offered us the support we needed.
My Nanna got so much from her time in their care. For a “home bird” she loved her days out with her friends and built such a love for her Hosts. I can’t thank them enough for every smile they put on her face and every new experience they gave her. Not only this but the respite they gave to my Aunt who cared for my Nanna.
The Filo Project made a tough time easier and helped my family more than I can say. We can’t thank and praise them enough.’ Grand-daughter of client
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‘The impact on my mum of the unique support that The Filo Project offers has been incredible. Although mum is a hugely sociable, people-loving person, she can really struggle in group situations with strangers, feeling isolated and disengaged. The Filo’s nurturing approach with an intimate circle of regular companions is perfect for her; she’s really come out of her shell and you can see her old fun-loving self coming back!
Prior to attending The Filo Project, my mum’s memory loss caused some really upsetting changes. The intensely fashion-conscious and creatively curious person I adored became dishevelled, distinterested and lost. Once we’d natter for hours; now she could barely hold a few minutes of conversation without lots of repetition, or remember old friends or what day it was.
Now, mum always sounds lively and engaged on the phone: I can even chat happily for 10mins, with only a few repetitions. Ahead of the recent royal wedding she even shared her views on Prince Harry’s future wife and told me where she’d been taken out three days before! And what’s more, she’s becoming conscious of her appearance again, which was always so important to her.
The Filo Project is really blazing a trail in elderly social care. They demonstrate that through developing close, caring and creative relationships, it is possible to bring the lost and lonely back to life. It is this kind of demonstration that helps build the more caring society so many of us crave.’ Daughter of client
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‘I know the project is having a positive effect on my Dad – it seems to be one of the rare things he can visualise in the future.’ Son of client
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‘I was encouraged by the Filo Project’s unique model of supporting people with dementia and their families by working with their individual needs and capacities in a home environment, rather than just treating them as passive receivers of care. The people I met were clearly happy with and benefiting from the service and their relatives who care for them enjoying some time for themselves. I wish such services had been around when my Mum, who had early onset dementia was alive. Dementia sufferers and their families were very much on their own back then.” Ben Bradshaw MP
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‘Just a thank you from us to all at FILO. The service you provide and the carers are simply amazing. Not enough credit is given to this industry and we applaud and thank you so very much. It makes such a difference to our & mum’s life. We cannot thank you enough.’ Daughter of client
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‘Please pass my heartfelt thanks to Sandra and Karen for all they have done for mum – and to support me – over the past couple of years. We couldn’t have managed to keep mum at home without you all.’ Daughter of client
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‘I want to take this opportunity of saying a heart-felt “thank you” to all those at The Filo Project who have been directly involved in the care and support provided to my step-mother for the past year. Without it there’s absolutely no doubt she would not have been able to extend her independent lifestyle for as long as she has, and I know she’s really enjoyed being “out with her friends” whenever she’s been on her days away!’ Step-son of client
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‘I cannot stress enough the fact that Filo is saving my mother in law’s life.’ Son-in-law of client
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‘I know that Filo is definitely working for mum and she is benefitting. Mum was smiling when she got out of the car and I haven’t seen her like that for ages. I am so pleased with how it’s going.’ Daughter of client
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‘I’m so happy with how my husband has settled at The Filo Project. He never says he doesn’t want to go. I don’t need to stay and I’m very pleased to have a few hours to myself. I feel “at ease” dropping him and I don’t need to worry about him whilst I’m gone.’ Wife of client
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‘Dad was so happy at The Filo Project, the only days he would get up were the Tuesdays and Thursdays when he came to you’. Daughter of client
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I just wanted to reiterate how important the Filo group is for John. On a Tuesday and Thursday evening, following his Filo sessions, he is at his best. He is in a good mood, he is not worrying about things or falsely accusing people of things. On Mondays and Wednesdays when he is struggling with his Alzheimers I can usually help bring him out of his confusion, paranoia and depression by talking about where he is going the next day. Carer of client
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‘After mum dying in September I was concerned dad would become isolated and withdrawn, he was never the outgoing type after having my mum for sole company for nearly 60 years. For him The Filo Project has been amazing, he is a more confident person who engages in daily life and has a good sense of contentment. After only a few weeks I saw “the light bulb” moment in him. The great thing is it has stimulated him to the degree where he now lives a fairly normal life, cooking cleaning and really making a good effort. We have days when his short term memory is not so good but he doesn’t rely on me so much. He’s gone from telephoning me 9 times a day to possibly 4 times a week.
As a nurse myself this type of therapeutic day care has worked for my dad, we seem to have part of his old self back. To sum it up dad was a hostage of his vascular dementia, feeling uneasy in public not knowing what to say or do, The Filo Project has given him a new lease of life and a greater way of coping with his illness.’ Son of client
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‘I like coming here as it makes me feel normal.’ Comment from client comparing day centre experience with the Filo Project.
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‘My father was very withdrawn, and not eating or looking after himself well, last year. I despaired of him ever getting back to any semblance of normality. He was diagnosed with moderate dementia and depression. Being a very independent man, he struggled to admit there was a problem. He was a little reluctant to go to The Filo Project at first, but within a few weeks, was already feeling very much at home, and indeed, now calls Libby, Malcolm and their girls ‘his other family’. I’m not sure if this is a complement or not! Both Dad and I will always be grateful to Libby for giving him back a small amount of his previous confidence, he joins in and Libby tells me he has begun to interact with the other guests and even take the lead occasionally. He has blossomed and even accepts his confusion as part of him rather than railing against it as he was doing. He is more content and accepting. He has also returned to singing with the male voice choir, something I thought he would never do, and I believe that is down to the self confidence instilled by the FILO Project. In our case, I think it would not be too dramatic to say that the FILO project really did save Dad’s life and has enhanced and enriched his final years, giving him a sense of worth in an otherwise confusing world.’ Daughter of client
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”It’s good coming here because I’m with people who speak my language, if you know what I mean.” Client
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‘Dad remembers very little of his day but he always comes back happy and very often singing which is great!’ Daughter of client