In the heart of our community, a remarkable organisation is quietly changing lives. Founded by Mavis Wilkin, The Mother Wilkin Centre for Senior Support CIC provides essential care and companionship to elderly residents in Burton and surrounding areas.
This not-for-profit project was created in honour of Mavis’s mother, the late Melvina Wilkin, affectionately known as Mother Wilkin. Melvina was a much-loved figure in the community, always ready to lend a hand where it was needed most. Today, her legacy lives on in the very house where she lived, loved, and looked after others.
The Centre was launched in January 2021, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. With lockdowns in place, many seniors were left isolated and unable to manage basic tasks. Mavis and her team stepped in with friendship calls, shopping assistance, prescription collections and general wellbeing checks. These were not just lifelines; they were sources of hope and human connection.
Later that year, in October 2021, the Centre opened its doors to in-person visitors with the launch of its drop-in service. More than 30 seniors turned up on the first day. For many, it was the first time in over two years that they had seen familiar faces. Mavis still remembers the joy and emotion in the room.
The services offered at the Centre have grown to meet the changing needs of the elderly. Seniors can now receive help with laundry, housekeeping, gardening, IT support and even overnight companionship. The Centre also supports with GP and hospital appointments, cemetery visits and navigating essential services such as utilities and council tax.
Inside the Centre, there’s a warm, welcoming space where older residents can come together to enjoy crafts, games and good company. Jewellery making, jigsaws, painting, candle making and bingo are all on offer, along with a hearty and nutritious meal. Bingo prizes are often daily essentials like tea bags, coffee, washing-up liquid and toilet tissue, offering practical help in light of the cost of living challenges many face.
Health and wellbeing are central to the Centre’s mission. A nurse visits regularly to offer wellness checks and blood pressure monitoring, while a chiropodist helps seniors care for their feet. IT support is also provided, helping people access emails and order medications online.
The Centre works closely with other organisations including Diabetes UK, Alzheimer’s UK, Dementia Support Line and local food banks. Seniors are signposted to these services as needed, ensuring that no one is left without the help they deserve.
Outings have included trips to shopping centres, garden centres and even a visit to the Mayor’s chambers. These events provide stimulation, enjoyment and a welcome break from routine.
The Centre was officially registered as a Community Interest Company (CIC) in January 2024. Funding comes from local efforts including bake sales, car boot sales and generous donations from the Uxbridge Arms in Burton. Additional support has come from the Anglesey Parish Council. Mavis’s own candle business, Mavis’ House of Candles, also contributes to keeping the Centre running.
Referrals come in through connections with Burton Albion Community Trust and the Burton Rotary Club. The Centre’s latest step forward has been the introduction of respite care. A senior in need of temporary support is currently being cared for in-house until she is re-housed, marking the beginning of what Mavis hopes will be a wider offering in the future.
At The Mother Wilkin Centre, elderly residents are given the respect and care they deserve. From supporting mobility and nutrition to emotional wellbeing and companionship, the Centre ensures no one is left behind.
An essential service for the community, and a beautiful tribute to a woman who gave so much.
