Apna Ghar: Home from home with no barriers

In the few short weeks since the Age Concern centre opened, a growing band of frail, elderly Asian folk have been rapidly warming to the home from home, believed to be the first of its kind in the North West.

The centre opens five days a week at Bangor Street Community Centre, Blackburn, and takes clients referred by Lancashire County Council social services for anything from one day to five days each week.

A multi-lingual team of staff is on hand to provide expert care, including sensitive handling of cultural and religious requirements.

"People ask why have a centre specifically for Asian people," said manager Shakil Salam.

"There is the myth that Asian people don't need day centres because they always look after the elderly as part of the extended family.

"But there is need for a centre of this kind. Very few Asian people had been using the other centres because often it could be stressful.

"A lot of Asians are vegetarians or have Halal meat, so they could not eat the meals, and then there were difficulties with language or cultural or religious differences."

Users are referred because of physical or mental disability. Their family circumstances are also taken into account, with some attending to give carers a rest break during the day. A minibus collects people who are welcomed with tea and toast or biscuits before spending the day playing games, exercising, listening to music, reading Asian books or newspapers, and, of course, enjoying lunch.

"The community we are dealing with has people mainly from Pakistan, India and East Africa. We have staff would speak the main Asian languages of Urdu, Gujerati and Punjabi and also Swahili and African dialects," explained Shakil.

"We have a mix of men and women, and a mix of religions with Muslim, Hindu and Sikh."

Since Apna Ghar opened a few weeks ago the number of users is gradually building up. Eventually it will care for 30 people daily.

"We provide individual care, and we are very flexible," said Shakil.

"People decide what they want to do. They are welcome bring in their own games, records and tapes, and those who have good enough eyesight will read to those who cannot manage for themselves.

"Our users are already beginning to make friends, they are extremely happy and don't want to miss a day."

"Apna Ghar means Our Home, and that's just how we want people to feel - that it's their home too."

The centre is rapidly becoming a home from home for stroke victim Ahmed Solanki, who attends five days a week.

"I like everything about the centre. I enjoy the games and talking to people, and the food is very good," he said.

Mohammed Adam is blind and needs extra care, providing an initial challenge for centre staff.

"We got in touch with the Royal National Institute for the Blind and they were told us about talking books in Gujerati," said Shakil.

"We got some, and now a lot of other people here are enjoying them too. "Mohammed also enjoys the music and listening to the television."

Umer Mamroot had attended Age Concern's Limbrick Centre but quickly swapped when Apna Ghar opened.

He is recovering from a stroke and is an enthusiastic participant in the exercise classes.

"It is difficult for my family to look after me, and it gives them a rest when I can come here.

"I keep doing the exercises, and I am looking forward to the day when I will be able to walk to the centre."

Apart from its regular team of staff, Apna Ghar also welcomes volunteers such as Adil Babar and Peter Blackledge who pop in for as long as they want and chat or play games with users.

"It's brilliant," said 19-year-old Adil. "I enjoy coming here because the elderly people have so much to talk about.

"I used to come for one day a week, but I've been coming more often to help out."

Shakil said more volunteers would be welcome: "Not all young people realise the upheaval older Asians went through when they moved 7,000 miles away from home to settle somewhere else.

"They love to get together and reminisce, and we are starting to get compile a local history project to record their memories and experiences."

Anyone who wants to volunteer their help can contact Shakil on Blackburn 667514.

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