Dementia Friendly Congleton
Encourage and support people living with Dementia & their families in Congleton.
Dementia Friendly Congleton is a dynamic forward facing project intended to enhance the understanding of the general public and encourage and support those living with dementia, their carers and their families. It has two main thrusts:
1. Community Awareness to educate and inform the community on what the dementia is, what living with dementia is like and what we as a community, can do to make our town Dementia friendly and to ensure that people living with the disease can remain in our community for longer. We are currently holding Dementia Friends awareness sessions at various venues across Congleton in order to make Dementia Friends and this will be an ongoing project as we seek to continually educate people.
2. The provision of group sessions. We also have sessions running for people living with dementia at several places across Congleton to help alleviate the isolation and loneliness which is often the experience of people living with dementia and their careers.
Congleton has an ageing population and as statistics sow that 1 in 14 people over the age 65 are living with dementia, our great town definitely needs to be Dementia Friendly.
Read Well Books
Reading Well Books on Prescription for dementia recommends books you might find helpful if you have dementia, or are caring for someone with dementia or would like to find out more about the condition. The books provide information and advice, support for living well, advice for relatives and carers and personal stories. They are endorsed by health professionals and can all be found in the local library.
More information: https://reading-well.org.uk/books/books-on-prescription/dementia
Dementia Friendly Congleton PCSO Project.
Read the full report of the PCSO project, a total of 81 gift packs were sent out and more families are now aware of dementia support in Congleton. Find out more.
Dementia Friendly Activity Leaflet
Please find below a list of shared resources available to Congleton residents, at Congleton Library resources:
Books in Pictures. Cheshire East Libraries have a series of beautiful ‘In Pictures’ books for people with dementia to borrow for free. Available to view on the library catalogue.
Memory Boxes. Cheshire East Libraries have a collection of memory boxes full of memorabilia, books and photos on different themes such as gardens, housework and childhood. Available to view on the library catalogue and reserve (£1 reservation fee applies).
Books on Prescription: Dementia. The Reading Agency worked with dementia healthcare experts, people with dementia and carer groups to select a list of titles that provide support and advice for people with dementia and their carers. Health professionals use the list to prescribe books to their patients and the titles are available for anyone to borrow free-of-charge from their public library. Available to view on the library catalogue.
Dementia Friends Gallery
In our goal to make Congleton a dementia friendly town local businesses have been working with us to undergo training and a review of business premises to assist people living with dementia in Congleton. Local businesses can proudly display the certifcate of recognition, thanks to Butters John Bee, Congleton Library, Congleton Museum, Coop Funeral Care, Lawton House Surgery, Musical Moments, New Life Church, Old Saw Mill, The Castle Inn, Three Way Travel and Top Nosh.
Dementia group PCSO Project
Raising Awareness at Congleton Market
dementia-friends
Can you help?
Can you help? Dementia Friends
Can you help?
Redrow Homes Presentation
Dementia Friendly Walk Around Congleton
DAW Market 3
DAW Market 4
DAW Market 2019 2
DAW Market 1
photo dementia group PCSO Project (002)
Dementia Friendly Business Awards
In our effort to make Congleton a dementia friendly town we have been working with local businesses, providing staff training and make improvements to business premises so they can assist people living with dementia in Congleton. They can now proudly display their certificate of recognition, thanks to:
Bear Grills, Butters John Bee, Chris Hamriding, Congleton Library, Congleton Museum, Congleton Vets, Co-op funeral services, Gather Innovations, Lions Musical Moments, New Life Church, Old Saw Mill, The Castle Inn, Top Nosh, Wild and Wild, 3 Way Travel, Chappell Centre and Lawton House Surgery.
Dementia Friendly Businesses in Congleton
Chappell Centre
dementia-friends
Lawton-House-Surgery
Musical-Moments
The Old Saw Mill Dementia Friendly Business Award
Butters-John-Bee
Congleton Museum receives dementia-friendly recognition.
Co-op Funeral Care receives dementia-friendly recognition.
New Life Church receives dementia-friendly recognition.
The Castle Inn receives dementia-friendly recognition.
Three-Way Travel receives dementia-friendly recognition.
Top Nosh receives dementia-friendly recognition.
Dementia Games Swap Shop comes to Congleton
Dementia Friendly Congleton has launched a free Swap Shop service for Congleton residents living with dementia. The exchange service has a warm and welcoming area housed within Congleton Library, Market Street. A variety of games and activities suitable for people living with dementia, are available for loan or can be swapped for games and activities in good condition.
Diane Ritherdon, Chair of Dementia Friendly Congleton said: “We are delighted to have found a wonderful home for the new service. It is more important than ever for us to continue to support those affected by dementia in our community.
“The items for swap are currently brand new and mainly sourced from the Alzheimer’s Society, all designed to stimulate memories of earlier times and include jigsaws, aqua paints, memory cards, colouring books and locally knitted Twiddle Muffs. Items for swap should be complete especially jigsaws which should be no more than 250 pieces with easy to handle parts. The helpful library staff will be on hand to offer assistance and guidance.”
Dementia Friendly Congleton a sub-group of the Congleton Partnership is helping to spread the word about face to face activities starting to resume across the town after all support groups were postponed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hot off the press is a new publication which provides information on regular community activities.
Mike Smith, Co-ordinator of the Congleton Partnership said: “We are thrilled to see the community finally coming back together again. These activities are a life line to many residents who have found themselves isolated and looking for companionship and social chats. There are plans for more sessions to open in the New Year.”
The face to face activities range from coffee mornings, gentle exercise classes, crafts, sing alongs, lunch clubs, plus many more. They are open to people living with dementia, their carers and family members. A warm welcome is also extended to the ‘young at heart’ living in Congleton, the regular activities have been organised to help local people feel part of their community.
The free leaflet is available from the Congleton Information Centre, Congleton library and online at www.congleton-tc.gov.uk/your-council/publications
Diane Ritherdon concludes: “We encourage anyone who knows someone with dementia to continue to keep in contact, whether that’s by paying a visit or making regular phone calls. There is so much more to a person than their dementia, and regular contact can do so much to help someone feel less alone. For further information on Dementia Friendly Congleton see: Discover Congleton/Dementia Friendly Congleton pages at: www.congleton-tc.gov.uk or contact Diane on 07770 724932.