In the third series of blogs to mark Dementia Action Week, we look at the services ADSS is rolling out to support people with dementia in the Medway area.
It’s just six months since ADSS launched its first memory cafe in Medway, where an estimated 3,000 people are living with dementia. Since then the group – held at Strood & Frindsbury Working Men’s Club – has gone from strength to strength, and the services we provide in Medway have grown to include another two memory cafes plus a range of support for people with dementia. You can find details of the Strood group here.
Sara Morrissey, Wellbeing Coordinator for ADSS, is in charge of services in the Medway region. “We launched our first cafe in Strood because we could see there was a gap for dementia-specific services,” she says. “The response was amazing from the start. We’ve had anything from 35 to 50 people attending each monthly session, which is huge for a memory cafe.”
Since then, ADSS has started memory cafes at St Mary’s Island Community Centre in Chatham and most recently at the Fenn Bell Conservation Project on the Hoo Peninsula. “It’s such a lovely venue,” says Sara. “Anyone who comes to the memory cafe gets discounted entry to the zoo so it’s a great opportunity to make a day of it.”
In addition to the three memory cafes, ADSS has also launched groups focused on specific activities including creative arts and singing, which have been shown to have a powerful positive impact on people with dementia, and peer support groups where people living with dementia in Medway can get together and share their experiences.
Involving service users has been an important part of the project. “We ran a co-production group over three months, to gather input from people with dementia and their carers about what was missing and what kind of activity-based groups they would like to see,” says Sara. “They’re best placed to tell us what they need and what works for them.”
Partnerships with other groups and organisations supporting people with dementia are also vital. “We want to respect their approach and honour their initiatives, but also want as many people as possible in Medway to know that ADSS is there to support them,” says Sara. “So we’re also working with local groups like the Wainscott Dementia Hub and The Net Community Hub Dementia Cafe to make sure we’re keeping awareness high and maintaining those connections.”
Looking ahead, Sara’s next project is exploring setting up a fourth memory cafe at the Gurdwara (Sikh temple) in Rochester. “We know the Sikh community is underserved in terms of dementia support,” she says, “and we really want people to get the help they need.” Along with her colleagues in Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley she’s also busy organising a summer outing, to Ramsgate on 1 June. “That’s for our service users in Medway,” she says, “but we’re also inviting people from Sittingbourne and Swale where we work in partnership with Age UK. It should be a great day out – weather permitting!”
A fifth memory cafe will follow, and a walk-and-talk activity group will launch on the Hoo Peninsula in June. There are also plans for another peer support group, this time for carers. Sara estimates that at least 120 people are already benefiting from the various different groups. “It’s so clear that there’s demand in Medway,” she says. “It’s great to feel that we’re making progress towards building a truly dementia-friendly community.”
“T was so nervous this morning and I was worried he wouldn’t go through with the group. He was delighted when I met him – teary and happy, which made me teary! Just to meet others in a similar situation and for me to know he has something to go to support him is so amazing. I feel I also have the support there if needed too. THANK YOU!” R, carer
“I would like to say how lovely it is to come to your dementia groups across Medway. I can see that positive impact you have on people living with dementia and not forgetting the support you give carers just like myself. I see how you brighten people’s
faces and bring people together.” M, volunteer/carer
“I’m having so much fun and I always look forward to the next group!” J, art group member
At ADSS we are working hard with our partners in the NHS and social care to improve understanding of the importance of dementia and raise awareness of dementia in undeserved communities. Our Dementia Coordinators are working one to one with people to support them through the diagnosis process. Want to know more about how a Dementia Coordinator could help you? Read Annette’s story.
Find out more about our memory cafes, or contact us to find out how ADSS could support you.
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Alzheimer’s and Dementia is a registered charity in England and Wales (1173379). A company limited by guarantee and registered charity in England and Wales (10690071). Registered address: Safeharbour, Coldharbour Road, Northfleet, Kent DA11 8AE
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