Gogledd Cymru / North Wales Newsletter Haf 2014 / Summer 2014 1 Croeso / Welcome Welcome one and all to our first ever North Wales Locality Newsletter. These will be sent out electronically as widely as possible, so if you haven't had this sent to you directly and would like one in the future please let us know and we’ll add you to our mailing list. Of course we will also be printing a limited amount, so are happy to arrange for one to be sent if you do not have access to a computer. As well as containing some very useful information and advice, this newsletter is a perfect opportunity to spread the news and showcase the wide range of services and activities we offer, as well as celebrating some of our successes! Most importantly, we will use it to tell you about up and coming events and services, with contact details, to make sure you know what’s on and opportunities aren't missed. The newsletter will be produced quarterly so that the information is as up to date as possible. By the next edition, in the Autumn, our Wrexham Memory Walk will have taken place, so we will be featuring photos of the day so make sure you’re there to take part and help us to raise awareness and funding. I am sure you’ll find this Newsletter useful and entertaining, so pass it onto others so that we can spread the information far and wide. Best wishes, Jacky Contents Siaradwyr Cymraeg 2 Introduction to Newsletter Mae gwybodaeth ar gael ar y 3 Who’s Who in North Wales? wefan neu drwy gysylltu â’r siaradwyr Cymraeg isod Avril 4, 5, 6 Useful Information Perch, Cheryl Williams, 7 Dementia Friends Michelle Ridge, Sian Evans, 8, 9 Dementia Awareness Week Carol-Anne Jones ac mae 10, 11 North Wales Services Kayleigh Lloyd yn dysgu 12, 13, 14 Staff Updates & Achievements Cymraeg. 15 National News 16, 17 Activity Timetable 18 Contact Us Detective Inspector Jackie Downes has made a phenomenal contribution to the Alzheimer’s Society, thanks to her relentless fundraising efforts. She held a bake-off at Wrexham Police Station, judged by DCI Oldfield, DCI Beck and Julie Adams—an event which raised an amazing £235.45. Star Baker was awarded to DI Tim Evans (& Mrs Evans) and the award for Prettiest Cake went to Emma Watts PC 2136. Not only that, Jackie also ran the 2014 Virgin London Marathon in April, and has so far raised an unbelievable £6,755 to help maintain carer support groups and research. This achievement shall go a long way in supporting individuals with Dementia, so full credit goes to Jackie on a fantastic effort!! 2 Who’s Who In North Wales? Jacky Baldini—Operations Manager (North Wales) Denise Roberts—Services Manager (North Wales) Sue Brockley—Locality Administrator Donna Redgrave—Group Coordinator Emma Gough—Volunteering Officer Dementia Support Advocacy Enid Edwards (Powys) Cheryl Williams (Services Manager) Annette French (Denbighshire) Kayleigh Lloyd (Manager) Pat Griffiths (Powys) Jane Fairley Rhoda Highton (Flintshire) Kate Llewellyn Andrea Newnham (Conwy) Avril Perch (Gwynedd) Bev Perkins Keith White (Wrexham) Try Something New Befriending Julie Adams (Manager) Liz Wilks (Manager) Keeley Bird Angela Stoner (Support Officer) Dawn Jones Michelle Ridge Annette Whitley (Administrator) Carol Anne Jones—Regional Operations Manager (Wales) Sian Evans—Area Coordinator (North and West Wales) 3 Useful Information Several carers experience JUST CAN’T problems when taking a person living with dementia to public WAIT? toilets. For those who may be concerned about going into www.bladderandbowelfoundation.org separate toilets, a “disabled toilet key” may One of the problems for people with help. It can usually be purchased for £3 from a bladder or bowel problem is find- your Local Authority, and is universal so can be ing a toilet they can use when out used in restaurants, service stations, shopping and about. The “Just Can’t Wait centres etc. Thus allowing the carer and the Toilet Card” fits easily into a purse/ person with dementia to access any disabled wallet and helps to gain access to toilet anywhere. There is no eligibility criteria, toilets that wouldn't ordinarily be so there is no need to show evidence of a available to you. diagnosis of dementia. Orange Wallet Scheme The Orange Wallet Scheme has been developed as part of a collaborative regional project funded by the Welsh Government, and is intended to help people cope more easily with public transport. They are available in most libraries and some leisure centres—visit http://www.asdinfowales.co.uk/ orangewallet for details of how to obtain an orange wallet in your Local 4 Useful Information Day Clocks There are clocks available which display the day, date and time. They come in a variety of languages (including Welsh) and are available in analogue, digital and watch format. Many dayclox designs have been developed with assistance from people living with dementia; and are used and recommended by many NHS Trusts, Care Homes, Doctors and OTs worldwide. The Disability Resource Centre, based in the grounds of Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, offers a service to improve quality of life—providing a practical service to meet the needs of disabled people, their carers, friends and families. Qualified staff are available to provide training, information, advice and assistance. Tel: 01745 448288 hristmas has come early! ITV have announced that Alzheimer’s Society is Cone of six chosen charities for this year’s 2014 Text Santa appeal, due to take place in December. It is a fantastic opportunity to raise the profile of Alzheimer’s Society, raise awareness and understanding about dementia and generate over £500,000. These funds will be used to fund our Dementia Support Worker service as well as a brand new initiative for younger people with dementia. Look out for further details about how you can support Text Santa as we get closer to Christmas. 5 Useful Information Audio Factsheets The National Dementia Helpline Our most popular is for people with dementia, their carers, information factsheets are relatives, friends and/or anyone concerned available as Audio about dementia—including professionals. Factsheets. Those It is a confidential service, and only charged available are: at local rate from anywhere within the UK. What is Dementia? It provides information and advice regarding What is Alzheimer’s Disease? dementia care, health and social care and What is Vascular Dementia? legal and welfare rights; as well as any information needed to empower people to How the GP can support a person with dementia make their own decisions. Diagnosis and Assessment Tel: 0300 222 1122 Progression of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias Mental Capacity Act 2005 Financial and Legal Affairs Lasting Powers of Attorney Communicating Dementia and Aggressive Behaviour Carers: Looking After Yourself We have moved! Understanding and Respecting the Person with Dementia The Wrexham team have moved from AVOW and North Wales Volunteering Opportunities are now based in Gwersyllt: Singing for the Brain Support (Various Locations) Unit 4, Gwersyllt Community Resource Memory Café Support (Various Locations) Centre, Second Avenue, Gwersyllt, CRiSP Support (Denbighshire) Wrexham LL11 4ED Football Group Befrienders (Rhyl) Befriender/Tel Befriender/Group Befriender (Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Wrexham) Try Something New Support Service Volunteers (Mold, Mochdre, Bangor) Volunteer Advocate (Rhyl) Local Representative (North Wales) Fundraising Group Leader/Fundraisers (North Wales) Legacy & Recognition Giving Ambassador (North Wales) Please contact Emma Gough 01978 755906 [email protected] 6 Ffrindiau Dementia Friends Dementia Friends is a social action movement funded by the Department of Health for England and the Cabinet Office, and is led by the Alzheimer’s Society as a strand of its work to create Dementia Friendly Communities. The goal is to enable people to live well with dementia and feel part of their community, by improving the understanding of dementia for 1 million people in society and inspiring them to take action and allow stigma to be alleviated. A Dementia Friend is someone who has attended a one hour information session and has committed to an action which will make the lives of people living with dementia a little bit better. Anyone of any age can be a Dementia Friend and every action counts—from helping someone to find the right bus to spreading the word about dementia on social media. Every Dementia Friend will receive a badge and an information card. This campaign is being delivered in order to pass along the 5 key messages which we feel everyone should know about dementia. It is not a substitute for training, but is rather an appetiser to allow somebody to form a basic foundation for their understanding. It is also great for employers to be able to demonstrate that their workforce is dementia friendly! All that is required is 60 minutes of your time, and a room where people can sit comfortably. If you would like to find out more about Dementia Friends please visit www.dementiafriends.org.uk 7 May 2014 M Tu W Th Fr Sa Su 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Dementia Awareness Week -raising campaign in England, Wales and is aimed at anybody who has an these were: Don’t bottle it up; Don’t bury your head in the Dementia Awareness Week is a flagship —awareness either for themselves, a family member — and Northern Ireland. 2014’s primary aim was to raise awareness‘Talk of toAlzheimer’s us today’ Society and to raise funds in local communities and increase our supporter base. Under the umbrella of ’What’s on your mind?’, we took three common ideas about finding it difficult to talk about concerns and paired them with simple imagery Mold Marquee sand; and Don’t brush it under the carpet.