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
Locality Health Well‐Being Boards / Clinical Commissioning Groups Project
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Refreshed web platform
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What has been happening so far… Communities Community means different things to different people. We are starting in 3 geographical areas that are already working in a ‘dementia friendly’ way so that we can learn from them. We are planning to work with 12 communities with different features to ensure we reach as many people as possible. In Northfleet, we are working alongside Alzheimer's and Dementia Support Service – the launch meeting was held on 28th June at Northfleet School For Girls. In Westgate‐on‐Sea we are working alongside East Kent Independent Dementia Support – the launch meeting was held on 4th July at Westgate Community Centre with over 40 people attending. We are working closely with an incredible volunteer Geoff in Swanley and Sevenoaks District Council – the first meeting will be 9th August 1.00‐3.00pm at Swanley Town Council offices. Intergenerational
During the first part of this year we have been testing different approaches to intergenerational activity between younger people and people living with dementia. Firstly the fantastic Dementia Diaries have been published – by young people, for young people – find more information here. Duke of Edinburgh Scheme students at Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys, Canterbury have had a dementia awareness session and will be volunteering at Kimberley Residential Home, Herne Bay. The residents and students will be experimenting on iPads together. Teachers from Brockhill Park Performing Arts College have been supported by Ladder to the Moon, to work in partnership with Hawkinge House Nursing Home. Students studying social care are collaborating on a dance performance. We are pleased to share the Life Story Book project, part of the nationals schools pilot, an intergenerational project between students from Northfleet School for Girls and St John’s RC School and ADSS clients. Another project just starting – Bright Shadow are working with the Children’s Society and East Kent COGS Club to develop an art installation at the Royal Theatre in Margate about how it feels to be living with dementia. This is a free event on the 17th August and all welcome
Next Steps Catch our breath! Review the first three community areas and start looking for the next ones later in the summer. Learn from all intergenerational activity that has happened so far – facilitate a workshop to start the development of an Intergenerational Learning Resource Pack.
Sustainability We see this work as complimenting existing services, support and activity across Kent – joining up the dots. We are only here for 2 years, but are planning that the impact of this work will last well beyond that. As our programme of work develops, our aim is for all the smaller projects to merge together into one Kent community. Training and awareness is a big part. As we move into different communities we are keen to work alongside ‘Dementia Friends’, and a number of us within the team will be doing this training ourselves. Communities will be identifying their own training requirements for which we can broker bespoke training packages. If you have relevant courses available do let us know. We are developing a new look website to replace DementiaWebKentandMedway. We do not want to duplicate information that is available on national websites, but rather provide an accessible Kent platform to share support and opportunities that are available locally for people living with dementia. We are using a GIS system to map organisations and communities involved which will be incorporated into this website. We are kick‐starting local Dementia Collaboratives across Kent to encourage seamless working across different services and sectors. We are currently exploring how the Action Alliance model, a national scheme, could provide a governance structure going forward. We aim to produce this newsletter every 2 months but we are available all the time at silk.team@kent.gov.uk While we are developing the new website, we will be uploading regular updates on our Facebook page Kent.friendlycommunities.dementia. You can also find us on Twitter @SILKteam #kentdementia Stay in touch – we love hearing from you! We would also like to say a special thanks to Rock Sturt, ADSS and Karen Thorpe, Faces of Kent for their huge contributions and wish them the very best as they move onto pastures new. Last but not least, we would like to thank everyone so far. You all know who you are.
Your feedback is greatly appreciated – any comments, constructive criticism or compliments should be emailed to SILK.team@kent.gov.uk – thank you. Contact us regarding this newsletter
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