Making A Difference Through Dementia Friends!
Published: 24/05/2017
We are privileged to continue working with Age UK Maidstone to deliver Dementia Friends sessions that help those supporting a loved one with dementia understand a little more and take away a few practical tips that make a big difference. We recently delivered a session to a group of staff, volunteers and family carers at Age UK Maidstone’s Goodman Centre; a fully equipped, safe and homely day care facility for those diagnosed with early stage dementia.
We know that there are currently 850,000 people in the UK living with dementia and many of these are supported by loved ones who do a fantastic job.We are privileged to continue working with Age UK Maidstone to deliver Dementia Friends sessions that help those supporting a loved one with dementia understand a little more and take away a few practical tips that make a big difference.
Since we started our community Dementia Friends sessions, we have made just under 300 dementia friends and aim to increase this as we continue delivering sessions.
We recently delivered a session to a group of staff, volunteers and family carers at Age UK Maidstone’s Goodman Centre; a fully equipped, safe and homely day care facility for those diagnosed with early stage dementia.
The session was held in the homely environment and delivered by our Community Liaison Manager, Nathan in a relaxed format. Nathan explained:
Hosting Dementia Friends sessions is undoubtedly one of my favorite things I do here at Bluebird Care.
Each session is different and everyone gets as much out of them from sharing experiences with each other as they do from the session itself.
This session was to a small group which worked really well as it meant that it could be led in a more conversational way which increased what people took away from it.
Denise Barrett , Dementia Services Manager at Age UK Maidstone said:
Each session is different and everyone gets as much out of them from sharing experiences with each other as they do from the session itself.
This session was to a small group which worked really well as it meant that it could be led in a more conversational way which increased what people took away from it.
When a loved one is newly diagnosed with dementia, there is a lot of adjusting to do and for many it can be a significant challenge.
I am privileged to be able to help lead the services here that I know make that little bit of difference, however education particularly in the early stages can be so very helpful.
The Dementia Friends initiative is excellent and so well thought through. It can be a challenge to make time in our busy lives to pop along, however those who do spend just that little bit of time get so much out of it. I would highly reccomend it!
If you would like us to support your local community group by hosting a Dementia Friends session, please contact Community Liaison Manager Nathan: nathanbrown@bluebirdcare.co.uk.I am privileged to be able to help lead the services here that I know make that little bit of difference, however education particularly in the early stages can be so very helpful.
The Dementia Friends initiative is excellent and so well thought through. It can be a challenge to make time in our busy lives to pop along, however those who do spend just that little bit of time get so much out of it. I would highly reccomend it!
You can find out more about the services provided by Age UK Maidstone at The Goodman Centre here or contact Denise, Dementia Services Manager: denise.barrett@ageukmaidstone.co.uk / 01622 736 966.
