Dementia Friendly Hampshire

[SMS Network Coordinator]

 

Driving the development of Dementia Friendly Communities across the county
Reg Charity No:1165292
 
www.dementiafriendlyhampshire.org.uk

(Stephen Redrup: I was asked to share this information with the Network to help awareness of this Hampshire Initiative)



Dear Steve,

I just wanted to give you a very brief overview of what being Dementia Friendly means. The core criteria is that as many of your members as possible attend a Dementia Friends session, this is a session of approximately one hour where we talk about 5 simple facts about dementia to try and reduce the stigma surrounding it and increase confidence of people to interact with people with dementia. We talk about what dementia is and how it can affect people as it is not just about memory. We also discuss what it doesn't do, for example aggression is not a symptom of dementia, rather a result of the frustration people living with the condition experience when they find they are continually misunderstood or not helped in understanding themselves.

A huge issue for people with dementia is that they become very isolated and this can create additional health issues. It is particularly true for men as much of the support via activities traditionally offered is more orientated towards the female of our species. Men's Sheds could provide a very positive social and practical stimulation for a large number of men. It would be important for you to understand that we would not be suggesting that men who have never been interested in the kind of work you do should suddenly be pushed your way. It would rather be ensuring that men who have had a love of working with their hands making things, who are no longer perhaps as able to do it in their owns sheds are now given the opportunity to continue in the company of like minded individuals. We are talking about people early after diagnosis, where they may have been struggling to get started on projects, maybe making simple mistakes with measuring etc., and whose carers are getting concerned about their safety. I hope this clarifies a little in advance of your meeting today. I would value the opportunity to come and talk more at length on the subject either to a district meeting or to individual men's shed groups. I understand Gosport and Romsey both have an interest in this project, maybe they would be keen to pilot it with us?

Regards
Jane Ward
 
New Projects Lead
Dementia Friendly Hampshire
 
07557653229

[SMS Network Coordinator]

(Stephen Redrup: I was asked to post this response relating to Dementia by David Richardson of West Sussex Community Sheds)


Hi Steve,
 
Hope things are well with you.
 
Many thanks for sending the minutes of the recent Network meeting – I was particularly interested to read about the issues related to referrals of people with dementia.
 
You may already know that the Crawley (Bewbush) Men’s Shed was at the outset established as a dementia friendly shed – part of, but a more recent addition to the wider Dementia Friendly Crawley work of the past few years. For SMSN colleagues interested, a visit may be possible – contact Ian Sage  [e-mail]
 
The other thing that occurs is that I think for the most part Sheds leaflets etc. are invariably couched in positive and welcoming tones, so as to attract new members, get wider community support and so on. Of course, this information is picked up by ‘professionals’ in various agencies who are working with and supporting people with different needs – and this inevitably leads to active referrals, rather than the more passive signposting which at least leaves people to make contact with and gravitate to a Shed when they’re ready and in their own time.
 
Having in the past worked in close proximity to social work, occupational therapy and other teams, I’m all too aware how a ‘good community resource’ (e.g. a Shed) can become seen as a way to close or move cases on. There is I think a fundamental misunderstanding in some quarters that Sheds are not ‘services for…’ but activities ‘organised by…’ Some of what’s in the Medway leaflet (copy attached) is helpful and could even form the basis of ‘guide notes for agencies’ – simply to convey some key considerations to those wanting to refer, including the practical/physical limitations of Sheds buildings/facilities, that they’re potentially hazardous workspaces etc. It’ll be interesting to see what Brian discovers via UKMSA.
 
Regards,
 
David Richardson
 
West Sussex Community Sheds
0330 22 28677 or 07736 007692
[e-mail] 

(Email/voicemail usually monitored and responded to on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays)

Medway_MiS_leaflet.pdf