MAKING A DEMENTIA FRIENDLY SURREY

A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH

Funded by and

A Dementia Friendly Surrey recognises and values the diversity among individuals with

dementia and their carers, empowers them to have a strong individual and collective

voice with which to communicate their needs and preferences and is responsive to these,

makes sure they are safe both inside and outside their home, and

promotes their inclusion in all aspects of community life. Our thanks go to the Plymouth Dementia Action Alliance whose vision statement we have adapted.

OUR OBJECTIVES

Deliver basic dementia

awareness training

Fund a range of local projects through an

Innovation Fund

Support organisations to use the national

recognition scheme logo

Raise public awareness

through a wide-ranging campaign

Recruit Dementia Friendly Surrey

Champions

Increase the number of peer support groups where there are

gaps

TRAINING

• Free of charge training - community groups, businesses , golf clubs , garden centres and other organisations.

• Understanding dementia - the challenges it brings and how we can help people in our community.

• Over 850 people and 100 organisations - Police, banks, housing associations, District/Borough Councils and voluntary organisations

• Three types: cascade course, short courses (tailored) and self-study pack

INNOVATION FUND

• Targeted awareness in Gypsy/Traveller communities

• Targeted awareness for BME groups

Countywide projects

• Reading group• Befriending scheme• Singing group• Intergenerational project• Peer support groups, for carers and people with

dementia• Art activities and therapies• Alzheimer's Cafe• Understanding dementia installation

Local projects

COMMUNITY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

Intensive campaign activity in September 2013 and 2014

New suite of publicity materials to over 2,000 venues. Myth busting booklets to 70,000 addresses.

Engagement – stalls at 20 different conferences/events and presentations made to 150 national, local and team meetings

Positive media coverage - local and national

Dementia Diaries to all schools

BENEFITS

Reduced social isolation and improved wellbeing of the person with dementia and carers.

Greater awareness - supporting increase in presentation to primary care and diagnosis rate.

A wider range of activities and support for people with dementia and their carers.

Benefits for the wider community of vulnerable including older people, families with children, people with other disabilities.

DON’T JUST TAKE IT FROM US...... “Be more aware/less prejudice.”

Surrey Sports Park

“I'd encourage others to go on this training, I can see ...it would help handle situations sensitively with residents/customers I come into contact with”

Local authority employee

“Professional, informative and varied... we go away feeling a little more confident in dealing with dementia appropriately...that, surely, is the objective!”

GP Practice Manager

CHALLENGES

Demonstrating relevance to local business and schools

Sustainability

Equity of Peer Support Groups across the county

Legacy with Champions

The Surrey landscape (geography)

Innovation fund – best laid plans

Public awareness – did it impact in a positive way?

LEGACY AND SUSTAINABILITY

Dementia Friendly Towns

• Engage shops, businesses, voluntary sector and GP surgery staff

• Create places of safety in the town• Delivering public awareness for residents• Accessible public facilities, signage, toilets within

existing resources • Promoting citizen support systems.