The Chelsea Club in Lyall Bay is a dementia day respite centre run by The Marsden Club Limited, specialising in day care for individuals with mild dementia, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Alongside its sister location, The Marsden Club in Karori, the Chelsea Club offers a safe, home-like environment serving the Greater Wellington region, with qualified staff dedicated to enhancing members' quality of life through stimulating daily programmes.
Each day at the Chelsea Club includes activities such as cognitive exercises, music therapy, arts and crafts, and occasional outings and day trips, alongside morning and afternoon tea and a cooked lunch. The club understands the challenges carers face and offers flexible attendance options — from one to four days a week — funded either through GP referral or private membership, giving carers a genuine, well-deserved break while their loved ones are cared for in a secure, engaging setting.
Local General Practitioner Dr Jeff Lowe has described the Chelsea Club as "an important community asset within our health and care system," praising the unending kindness and support shown to elderly members of the community. The club may also be able to assist with transport to further ease accessibility for members and their carers.
The Chelsea Club in Lyall Bay offers dementia and Alzheimer's day respite care for the Greater Wellington region, run by The Marsden Club Limited alongside its sister centre, The Marsden Club in Karori. Both clubs specialise in supporting individuals with mild dementia, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's, in a safe, home-like environment designed to feel genuinely welcoming rather than clinical.
At the Chelsea Club, qualified staff are dedicated to enhancing members' quality of life through a variety of stimulating daily programmes. These include cognitive exercises to support mental function, music therapy, and arts and crafts activities that encourage creativity and social interaction. Occasional day trips and outings round out the experience, giving members something to look forward to beyond the regular daily programme. Morning and afternoon tea are provided, along with a cooked lunch, ensuring members are well looked after throughout the day.
The Chelsea Club recognises the real challenges faced by carers of people living with dementia. To help, the club offers flexible attendance options — members can attend anywhere from one to four days a week — giving carers the chance to take a well-deserved break knowing their loved one is in a secure, supportive and engaging environment. Funding is available either through a GP referral or via private membership, helping make the service accessible to a range of families.
The Chelsea Club's reputation is reflected in feedback from those who know its work firsthand. Local General Practitioner Dr Jeff Lowe of Karori has spoken directly to the value of the club, describing it as "an important community asset within our health and care system," and praising the team's "unending kindness and support" for elderly members of the community whose care he has witnessed personally.
For members and carers who may find transport a barrier, the Chelsea Club may be able to assist with convenient transport services, helping ease accessibility to the centre. Anyone interested in learning more is encouraged to get in touch directly to discuss options tailored to their situation.
The Chelsea Club works alongside organisations supporting older people and those living with related conditions, including Grey Power, Age Concern, Alzheimers organisations, Parkinson's support groups, MyCare, and stroke support services — reflecting its place within a broader ecosystem of community care in Wellington.
Joining the Chelsea Club means becoming part of a supportive community designed to enhance the lives of both individuals with dementia and their caregivers. Membership provides access to the club's comprehensive daily programmes and services, all tailored to meet each individual's unique needs, whether that's cognitive stimulation, social connection, or simply a safe place to spend the day.
Located at 7 Toru Street in Lyall Bay, Wellington, the Chelsea Club operates Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm. Families interested in learning more about membership, daily programmes, or transport options can get in touch directly with the team, including key contact Angela, to discuss how the club can support their loved ones.