Attendees: In person Abi Davies (Hwb), Brian Legg, Ceri Phelps (UWTSD), Clare Phillips (Hwb), Dawn Morgan (Age Cymru), Helen John (Ospreys in the Community), Jude Dale (Hwb), Kate McCormack (Trustee) Liz Burns (Wiltshire Farm Food), Ruth Groff (UWTSD) , Scott Davies (Marie Curie)
Online – Caroline Shepherd (Swansea Bay NHS), Connor James (Age Cymru), Emlyn Schiavone (Councillor for CCC), Hayley Gwilliam (Councillor for St Thomas Ward), Helen Hunter (Red Community Project), Irene Mortimer (Swansea Carers Centre), Gwenda Jenkins (MAWW Fire), Leanne Khaw (NHS), Linda Mathew, Linda Woodward (DF Newtown), Niamh Davies (Swansea BID), Owen Phillips (CADR), Richie Maiorano (Alzheimer’s Society), Sandra Davies (Care and Repair), Sheila Betts (50+ Network), Susan Mathew (UWTSD),
Apologies: Elaine James (SCVS), Hannah Davies (Hwb), Jay Crouch (MAWW Trustee), Julia Hackett (NHS), Katy Evans (Dementia Carers Count), Keith Harding (Trustee), Lesley Abbott (Trustee) Russell Workman (Cwmpas)
1. Welcome
2. Introductions
3. Marie Curie Dementia Befriending Service- Scott Davies
The Marie Curie Dementia Befriending service is provided by trained volunteers who offer one-to-one companionship and support to people with a terminal illness that have dementia and their families. Befriender volunteers provide companionship and emotional support, practical support, short breaks for carers and help with signposting for information and support. Aim to provide continuity of care asking people in the role to commit 12 months of time to it. Looking for 10 volunteers for Swansea. Aim to be starting a service supporting people by the end of 2022. ACTION SD to send info and contact details to JD to distribute via email to the forum.
4. Connor James Age Cymru Dementia Support Service
New Dementia Service launched through a collaboration with Age Cymru, CAB, NPT Carers and Swansea Carers Centre. There will be one telephone number that people can contact the service on. ACTION CJ to send info and contact details to JD to distribute via email to the forum.
5. Dementia Hwb Updates – Abigail Davies
194 visitors to the Hwb this month, taking the number of visits up to 1300 plus. The Hwb hosted a Doughnut & Chat feedback session on August 22nd, where volunteers and workers from organisations were asked to give feedback and opinions on the Hwb. What they enjoyed, what could be done better etc . Have been responding to the feedback, for example one was to make the Hwb less cluttered and more airy. Which has already been done. The Hwb is looking for more case studies from visitors who have been in, if you know anyone who would like to contribute, please email Abi.Davies@dementiafriendlyswansea.org
6. Dementia Hwb Research – Dr Ceri Phelps
The UWTSD evaluation of the Hwb is hoping to start in October, and will focus upon capturing the extent to which the activities and support offered within the Hwb help to meet the information and support needs of service users/visitors. The evaluation will take place over six months, with service users having the opportunity to complete three questionnaires during this period so that the longer term impact of the Hwb can be explored.
ACTION UWTSD and Hwb teams will form a steering group to oversee the evaluation
7. World Alzheimer’s Month – September
UWTSD students coming onto campus this month, CP to arrange an information event.
8. Any Other Organisations Updates
Liz Wiltshire Farm Foods
The company has launched a new service of finger food, easy to eat and pick up and nice cold and hot. Gluten free options available too. https://www.wiltshirefarmfoods.com/
Scott Davies Marie Curie
Bereavement and information service available open to anyone who has experienced a bereavement. Dementia Friendly project including ACTION SD to share info to send to Forum
Richie Maiorano (Alzheimer’s Society)
Dementia Friendly Community update- the Alzheimer’s Society have standardised the approach for organisations and businesses becoming dementia friendly. They encourage partnership with local dementia friendly communities. Organisations and businesses will now be able to submit their own commitments via the Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Friendly Community portal. (Dementia Friendly Swansea used to do this, JD asked for volunteers from the Forum to help set this back up)
Helen John (Ospreys in the Community)
The Sporting Memories have six clubs running in and around the Swansea area. Seeing 120 people per week, and would like to come along to the Hwb for outreach. ACTION JD to arrange with HJ
Dawn Morgan (Dementia Pathfinder for Age Cymru West Glamorgan)
The pathfinder’s role is to create a personalised dementia support plan combining useful information, products, services, and contacts to ensure you are fully aware of the support that is available. This can include Powers of Attorney, financial, checking benefits, and introduction to Local Area Coordinators.
Brian Legg (Carer)
Is a carer who needs to take asymptomatic lateral flow tests (LFTs) to be able to visit his wife who lives in a care home in Llanelli. These tests now have to be paid for. ACTION JD to provide a free box of LFTs from the Hwb (the Hwb is a Swansea Council distribution point for tests for people who care for vulnerable people)
Katie McCormack (Trustee update)
Trustees are working on producing a clear Mission Statement for Dementia Friendly Swansea. Focusing on what it needs to be two streams- helping people with dementia and carers of those with dementia, through their journey and lobbying those who can make the changes for improvement of dementia care.
Owen Phillips (CADR Centre for Ageing and Dementia Research)
Provided information on projects CADR are involved with including: Get There Together: Videos to support people affected by dementia in Wales through coronavirus https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/news/2021-05-12/get-there-together-videos-support-people-dementia-wales-coronavirus
People Speak Up – Connecting people, making healthier cohesive, resilient communities https://peoplespeakup.co.uk/
Also details of the new CADR app https://www.cadr.cymru/en/news-info.htm?id=264y
Please contact Owen if you want any more information on any of the projects.
9. Any Other Business
10. Next Meeting – 2nd November 3-4pm online and in person if possible
For any inclusions on the next agenda please contact Hannah, (email cc’d above) which will be issued c.1 week prior to the meeting.