The Masonic Charitable Foundation has awarded an impressive grant of £57,000 to Harrow Carers, North Harrow, to support their vital work with carers of people living with dementia. This funding will enable the launch of a dedicated Dementia Support Hub aimed at improving the health, wellbeing, resilience, and quality of life of disadvantaged carers.
The grant will ensure carers receive comprehensive support, including needs assessments, personalised action plans, and one-to-one guidance from a trained Dementia Advice Worker.
On the 22nd of January this year, W Bro Alfie Buckland, Provincial Grand Charity Steward, accompanied by RW Bro David Allan, Pro Provincial Grand Master, visited Harrow Carers to mark the occasion. They were warmly welcomed by Roshanthi Pereira, the Dementia Team Leader, and her colleagues.
The visit provided an opportunity for Alfie and David to meet carers and those being cared for in an informal and relaxed environment.

The staff at Harrow Carers expressed their delight at the generous grant, emphasising its potential to significantly impact the lives of those they support. W. Bro Alfie had a heartfelt conversation with an elderly dementia sufferer who had recently celebrated 66 years of marriage and vividly recalled cherished memories. The visit highlighted the invaluable role Freemasonry plays in supporting local communities.

The Dementia Support Hub will provide much-needed assistance to carers, many of whom face immense challenges with little or no formal support. The grant will enable carers to access:
- One-to-one support from an AQS-accredited Dementia Advice Worker.
- Help with welfare benefits, navigating complex statutory systems, and advocacy services.
- Emotional reassurance, crisis support (including emergency grants and food banks), and connections to community resources such as faith groups and dementia cafés.
- Outreach services, including home visits and virtual support via email, phone, or WhatsApp.
Dementia presents significant emotional and physical challenges for carers, who often manage their loved ones’ care without proper training or resources. The grant-funded initiative aims to reduce isolation, improve mental health, and strengthen social connections by offering practical tools such as assistance with completing forms, navigating healthcare services, and enhancing financial stability.
The demand for dementia support has surged in recent years, with referrals from the NHS and other agencies doubling from 82 in 2022/23 to 155 in 2023/24. Harrow’s aging population, with the highest percentage of elderly residents in North West London, contributes to the growing need for these services. Currently, an estimated 2,524 people are living with dementia in the borough, a number expected to rise as the population aged 65 and over increases from 38,800 in 2018 to 47,800 by 2027.
A significant gap in available services exacerbates the challenges carers face. Only 15-19 per cent of elderly carers receive support annually, and the closure of respite and daycare services has had a detrimental impact. More than 1,440 carers have reported mental health issues such as stress, depression, and anxiety, highlighting the urgent need for dementia-specific support.
This grant represents a significant step forward in addressing the critical needs of dementia carers within the community, and its impact will resonate deeply with many within the Province.