About Us

The Harbour Club is a Social Enterprise, a 'Not For Profit' organisation. The Director of Service is an HPC registered Occupational Therapist specialising in care for older people. She has experience working for the NHS and Social Services, plus has been involved with individuals with various needs in hospital and community settings. Her motivation to set up a day care facility is borne out of both professional and personal experience.

The personal experience gained in caring for her father who suffered with dementia enabled her, first hand, to witness the benefits that he received from attending a day centre for adults with dementia. In particular, it increased his self esteem which changed his persona from one of dependence, to one of an adult engaging with society on his own level, thus improving his quality of life. This experience has provided the motivation and desire to try to improve the quality of life for others.

All clients attending the day centre are referred to as members, in an effort to avoid institutionalisation and give a sense of belonging. The Harbour Club is located at The Old School, Ferry Road, Hullbridge Riverside, Essex, next to the river Crouch. It is a picturesque location as anyone familiar with the area would agree and is an ideal spot to offer members an opportunity to visit the surrounding area promoting social inclusion. 

The Harbour Club moves away from the “traditional day care” practice and moves towards a more innovative and structured model. This model incorporates current strategic guidance from the National Dementia Strategy, Mental Capacity Act 2005 and NICE clinical guidelines for Dementia. At The Harbour Club members have an opportunity to make friends and participate in a variety of activities dependent on their needs and preferences.

Occupational Therapy
The role of an Occupational Therapist is to work with individuals to help them achieve a fulfilled and satisfied state in life through the use of "purposeful activity” or interventions designed to achieve functional outcomes which promote health, prevent injury or disability and which develop, improve, sustain or restore the highest possible level of independence. Specifically it is a person’s occupational performance that influences their health and quality of life.

“Many thanks for the wonderful days that Dad was able to spend at The Harbour Club, I know he enjoyed being there, it was the one day of the week when he was motivated to get ready and go out in the morning. The few hours respite I gained knowing he was in safe hands was much appreciated.”  Steve – Wickford