Forget-Me-Not: Frome care home resident raises more than £500 for Alzheimer’s Society

A resident at a care home in Frome wrote a book in the name of charity.

Corinna Sargood, who lives at Care UK’s Rossetti House, on Welshmill Lane, donated all proceeds from her book, Tales from Rossetti House, to the Alzheimer’s Society, totalling £538.

Corinna said: “I wanted to thank the Alzheimer’s Society for the support they gave me when I was a carer. From the moment I reached out, they responded with kindness and understanding, and their regular visits helped me through an incredibly difficult time.

“I was inspired to write this book to celebrate the richness of lives lived. We are not simply ‘old people’ — each of us has a story, a history, and a lifetime of experiences worth sharing.”

The book, which shares the personal childhood stories of residents from Rossetti House, was launched and sold at the home during the Summer Fete and Christmas Fair. It has also been available for purchase at reception and through local retailers, including Post Script and Hunting Raven Bookshop, helping the publication reach the wider community.

The funds will go towards supporting tens of thousands of families living with dementia every year, providing them with a network of emotional support, practical advice and a community that understands their situation.  

Phil Vale, Home Manager at Rossetti House, said: “We’re incredibly proud of Corinna and the difference she will have made to so many people living with dementia.

“Supporting families of those affected by dementia is one of our biggest priorities here at Rossetti House, which is why love to do our part by organising community events to help create a more dementia-friendly Frome. The Alzheimer’s Society’s mission aligns with us completely, by doing such fantastic work for those living with the condition.

“The generosity and enthusiasm of Corinna in her fundraising efforts have been truly heartwarming, and we couldn’t be prouder of her support to the community.”

Alzheimer's Society Regional Fundraiser for Somerset, Sian Johnson, added: “We are so grateful that Corinna has chosen to support Alzheimer’s Society with her wonderful book. Each hour people generously give to fundraise for us, every pound they donate, they’re making a life-changing difference to people living with dementia. 

“Alzheimer’s Society provides vital support to people living with dementia, funds groundbreaking research and campaigns to make dementia the priority it should be. It will take a society to beat dementia.  

“There are around a million people living with dementia in the UK including over 101,500 in the South West of England. We all have a role to play in ending the devastation dementia causes. We simply can’t reach everyone who needs us without the continued support of our incredible supporters like Corinna."

Rossetti House provides full-time residential, dementia and nursing care in a luxury setting, as well as short-term respite care. Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, the home incorporates plenty of space for hobby and leisure activities and has its own cinema, hair and beauty salon and café. The building has been designed to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities and encourage social interaction among the residents.