6. The MASE Group

It’s that time of the year and to celebrate all the great things we have done with our Regional Communities over the past year, read our 12 Days of Christmas! These range from different charities to school partnerships and highlights each day how important our donations, work and volunteering is to these partners.

For the sixth day of our countdown to Christmas, we are showcasing The MASE (Monthly Alzheimer's Support Evenings) Group who are the Cannock Chase Community Charity partner...have a read on what they do below…

What do you do?

The MASE Groups supports carers and their loved ones who are on the dementia journey. Over the month we get around 350 people attending. The most important aspect of the group is for Carers to learn from each other the tips and tricks of dealing with Alzheimer’s.  From this, they build up friendship groups outside of the MASE which can be so vital in times of a crisis.

The MASE is a Registered Charity and has been running now for eleven years. The groups are NOT core funded, no-one receives a salary, and all money to run the groups is through constant fundraising from the 45 volunteers and the trustees.

Where are you based?

We have five groups in Cannock, Haughton, Rugeley, Hednesford and Stafford.

What impact has your partnership with Midcounties had?

The impact of the partnership with Midcounties has had an enormous impact on our Groups.  We have been made to feel welcome by colleagues in all of your local stores and are involved in many activities that take place in-store. The money received has enabled us to continue with the essential running of the groups. The number of people attending has increased from 250 a month to over 350 each month. We have also purchased a second-hand vehicle which gives us more efficiency in transporting equipment and people. This has extended the longevity of the MASE groups.

The future of the MASE Group depends so much on our valuable volunteers who help to run the groups.  We currently have 43 volunteers who are marvellous and 5 Trustees – all voluntary workers.  It is important that we keep them on-side as they are vital to the success of our organisation.  In a time where there are so many cuts to services, The MASE Group prides itself on the fact that we have been running now for over ten years and have helped so many people on their dementia journeys.

How can colleagues get involved?

Please contact the Community Team directly at communityteam@midcounties.coop for volunteering opportunities.

Where can colleagues get more information?

Visit their website here.