Devon dementia care charity seeks home hosts

A pioneering non-profit dementia day care organisation, The Filo Project, is urgently seeking more home hosts to meet rising demand across Mid and North Devon.

The Filo Project offers an innovative approach to dementia care, with hosts welcoming small groups of individuals with early to moderate dementia into their homes for a day of companionship, activities, and a home-cooked lunch.

Rather than a traditional care centre, The Filo Project’s model mirrors a childminding approach, providing a safe, familiar, and social environment. Hosts collect their small group in the morning and spend the day engaging in activities tailored to the group's interests, such as baking, playing cards, and reminiscing.

Jennifer Potter, a Filo Project host from the Exeter area, shared her experience: “A Filo day is like a day with friends and varies depending on each group’s interests and abilities. My group are renewing old hobbies and interests such as baking, playing cards, and dominoes. Dementia can be a really isolating experience, so it’s incredibly rewarding to see people grow in confidence and make friends within the group. It’s a cliché, but truly no two days are the same.”

She added: “To be a Filo host, you don’t need previous experience as a paid carer. My background was in children and families. What’s more important is having a caring nature, a sense of humour, and enjoying socialising with older people. Full training is provided.”

The Filo Project is currently looking for more hosts in:

• Sidmouth

• Beer

• Branscombe

• Axmouth

• Ottery St Mary

• Charmouth

• Marshwood

• Honiton

• Barnstaple

• Bideford

• Ilfracombe

• South Molton

Hosts must have a largely step-free home, a downstairs toilet, and a five-door car for transporting clients. They earn £104 per day plus allowances and expenses, work from home while welcoming up to four clients per day, and typically work between 8 and 16 hours per week from 9am to 5pm.

Hosts receive full training, including First Aid, Dementia Care, Safeguarding, Food Hygiene, and Infection Control, and become part of a team of hosts with ongoing support from a dedicated area coordinator.

Jude Pinder, Chief Operating Officer at The Filo Project, highlighted the importance of rewarding and supporting care workers: “We’re proud of the strong support we give our staff. Across the UK, there are a record number of vacancies in the social care workforce, partly because caring isn’t acknowledged or remunerated in line with its huge importance and value.

“Filo hosts receive a regular, above-market wage and travel costs. Unlike other care providers, Filo hosts are paid per day, not per client, meaning that if clients are unable to attend a session, hosts don’t miss out on their income.”

Since its formation in 2014, The Filo Project has supported around 5,000 people with dementia across the South West of England.

If you are interested in becoming a host or want to learn more about The Filo Project, click here, or call 0333 939 8225.