Social Innovation Lab Kent
Dementia Friendly Communities e-newsletter Summer 2013
Developing Kent as a Dementia Friendly Community In March 2011 a Dementia Challenge was launched by the Prime Minister to tackle one of the most pressing issues we face as our population ages. The challenge is an ambitious programme of work designed to make a real difference to the lives of people with dementia, their families and Carers. Although much has been achieved via the National Dementia Strategy, there are a number of issues that make it clear we need to do more; the number of people with dementia is increasing, diagnosis rates are low and there is a lack of awareness and skills needed to support people living with dementia, their families and Carers. SILK and the Strategic Commissioning Unit in Families and Social Care successfully bid for funding to support the development of Dementia Friendly Communities in Kent and join the national challenge. KCC’s Social Innovation Lab for Kent (www.kent.gov.uk/silk) will be coordinating the work programme using their person‐centred co‐production methodology. This programme will work across Kent from which it is anticipated a range of collaborative service design and sustainable community projects will emerge, cutting across education, health, care, housing, voluntary, arts and leisure, faith, business, community and family. The SILK Team have set up an informal Kent‐wide Reference Group including people living with dementia and relevant organisations, which will ensure the work programme stays grounded in the needs, aspirations and realities faced by people living with dementia on a day to day basis. As Brian, one of the Maidstone Mentors says, “Guess What! You can still live well with dementia”. We have chosen this to be the strap line for this work programme. If you would like a programme overview or more information about the approach we are taking please do get in touch. Prime Minister’s Challenge KCC Dementia Select Committee Kent Health Well‐Being Board Kent Dementia Collaborative > Alliance Building on existing good practice
A co‐production approach which keeps people living with dementia, their families and carers at the heart of the improvement process
Training and awareness New ways of working
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