Issue 07 | 2024The quarterly magazine fromDementia Jersey’s New HomeWe have moved to our new office at Halke PlaceBoost your Brain!Dementia Jersey’s new brain health campaignCounsellingFor people with demena and their carersFundraising NewsEvent and fundraising newsSupport and AdviceAdvice and details about our support groupsActivitiesFull lisngs of our dementia friendly activitiesEducationFind out more about dementiaThe Meeng Place ProjectHelping people with mild demena to stay acve in their communies
Welcome to the seventh issue ofThe last few months have been a real whirlwind for us as we moved into our new demena-friendly oce. We were lucky to receive a very generous legacy which paid for a full re-t of the old Jersey Mutual premises in town. It gives us a fantasc base near the library and we hope you can all pop by to have a look and let us know what you think.We’ve also been working on our Boost your Brain campaign which you’ll see live on our website from January and also on social media, in a leaet in GP surgeries, featured on a bus, on hoarding and planters near Liberty Wharf and on the radio. It tells everyone what they can do to reduce their risk of developing demena as we now know that up to 45% of cases can be prevented or delayed. Read more about the campaign on page 12.There’s plenty more covered in the magazine including features on new sta members, recommended books and the latest in demena friendly tech. I hope you enjoy reading it.Claudine SnapeCEO – Demena Jersey Dementia Jersey, 74 Halke Place, St Helier, Jersey, JE2 4WHTelephone: 01534 723519Email: info@dementia.jeHours: 10:00 - 16:00 Monday to Fridaywww.dementia.jePublished byDid you Did you know?know?It costs over £700,000 each year to fund the services of Demena Jersey, almost all of which is supported by fundraising.3ContentsPage 6Our new Halke Place ocePage 10Meet the Team - Dreena CollinsPage 12Boost your Brain!Page 16Fundraising NewsPage 22Acvity Spotlight - Club UnoPage 24Weekly Acvity LisngsPage 29Event Spotlight - Tea DancePage 30Geng to Know - Vivien EmeryPage 32Carer’s Support MeengsPage 34Event Spotlight - Carers Recharger DayPage 36Demena EducaonPage 39The Meeng Place ProjectPage 40Counselling for people with dementia and their familiesPage 42Lived Experience Advisory PanelPage 44Volunteer Spotlight - Simon PerchardPage 46Book ClubPage 47Consumer Corner
We’re challenging everyone to walk, run or jog 50 miles this January to help raise funds to support people in Jersey living with dementia.You can choose how and when you want to get your miles in. All you need to do is complete 50 miles throughout the month of January. Start the year as you mean to go on and get involved!For more information visit www.dementia.je/50-mile-challengeDid you know?Did you know?Staying physically acve can improve your brain health and keeps your heart healthy.Jersey Charities Commission number 42 • Patron Dr Karen KydWalk, run or jog Walk, run or jog 50 miles this January50 miles this JanuaryScan the code to sign up
We’re challenging everyone to walk, run or jog 50 miles this January to help raise funds to support people in Jersey living with dementia.You can choose how and when you want to get your miles in. All you need to do is complete 50 miles throughout the month of January. Start the year as you mean to go on and get involved!For more information visit www.dementia.je/50-mile-challengeDid you know?Did you know?Staying physically acve can improve your brain health and keeps your heart healthy.Jersey Charities Commission number 42 • Patron Dr Karen KydWalk, run or jog Walk, run or jog 50 miles this January50 miles this JanuaryScan the code to sign upDementia Jersey’s new oceBoost your Brain!Activities Volunteer SpotlightGetting to knowEvent Spotlight Carers Recharger DayActivity Spotlight - Club UnoWe have now moved into our brand new permanent oce at 74 Halke Place. Come and take a tour.Find out more on Page 6.Demena Jersey oers a range of regular acvies for people living with demena and their carers. Find out more on Page 24.Meet volunteer Simon Perchard who is one of Demena Jersey’s Trustees and Treasurer.Find out more on Page 44.In this issue meet Vivien Emery who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at the end of 2023.Find out more on Page 30.30 Carers enjoyed an amazing Carer Recharger Day on the 28th September with funding we received from a very kind benefactor.Find out more on Page 34.In 2023 Demena Jersey launched ‘Club Uno’ - a social group for carers who wish to remain part of the Demena Jersey community but are no longer the primary care giver, either because their person with demena has passed away or moved to residenal care.Find out more on Page 22.In this issueWe’re launching a new campaign for 2025, to make sure as many islanders as possible know how to reduce the risk of developing demena.Find out more on Page 12.5
Dementia Jersey’s Dementia Jersey’s new home at new home at Halke PlaceHalke PlaceWe’re excited to say that on Monday 18 November we moved into our new oce and on the 28 November Dr Kyd and his excellency the Governor ocially declared it open. 6
Dementia Jersey’s new oceThis new demena-friendly oce is a signicant milestone for Demena Jersey. We have been able to aord it because of a very generous legacy and we’re enormously grateful. It’s been specically designed for people with demena and features two comfy counselling and advice rooms, where individuals and families can receive personalised support and guidance. We have two meeng rooms designed to facilitate workshops, meengs and training and three demena friendly toilets. Clear waynding helps guide visitors through the space, while contrasng colours on doors and toilets enhances visibility and ease of navigaon. The use of bright colours throughout the oce not only makes it feel joyful but also aids in orientaon. This new oce represents a new chapter for Demena Jersey, one where we can provide 7
Dementia Jersey’s new oceeven more comprehensive support to our community. We are grateful for the fantasc support of our donors, volunteers, our sta and partner agencies whose dedicaon and hard work have made this all possible. Despite this excing new development, we remain commied to bringing our services directly to people’s doorsteps across the island. By connuing to oer support in various parishes, we aim to reduce barriers to access and make sure that everyone can benet from our services, no maer where they live. Our new premises have easily accessible ground oor meeng and counselling rooms and dementia friendly toilet facilities.8
Dementia Jersey’s new oceOur new oce area is now large enough to accommodate our growing team and we also have a large meeng room that can be used for some of our support groups sessions, courses and other events.9
Meet our Dementia Projects ManagerDreena CollinsWhat I love about my jobI’m passionate about the charity sector and the fact that I have a job that makes a dierence; I love being part of such an enthusiasc team who are all commied to our mission.My job involves organising and thinking ahead and is a great mix of ‘hands-on’ and planning work. I am also an ideas person and love the fact I have an opportunity to shape things and be creave.Did you know?Dreena is an author who has published short con collecons, a suspense novel, and (under a pen name) a ‘women’s con’ series. Her current wring project is a historical con novel inspired by true events in sixteenth century Guernsey.Dreena grew up in Jersey. She qualied as an English teacher and then spent almost twenty years working in educaon, where she held various leadership and management roles centred around equality and inclusion. She made a conscious move to the charity sector in 2021.Meet the teamLack of knowledge about demena leads to inaccurate assumpons about its eects on the person and their family and negave stereotypes about how a person with demena will behave.Did you Did you know?know?Help us support those living with demena in Jersey with a monthly donaon to Demena Jersey. To donate, visit www.dementia.je/donateDonate10
12We’re launching a new campaign for 2025, to make sure as many islanders as possible know how to reduce the risk of developing demena. Do you know how you can Boost Your Brain?Up to a surprising 45% of cases of demena can be prevented or delayed. This is the latest news from The Lancet* which tells us the benets of simple lifestyle tweaks in our middle years. This high gure oers some reassurance to those concerned about their brain health and at Demena Jersey, we’re sharing this fact as widely as we can with our Boost Your Brain campaign. In the coming months, you’ll start to see our new campaign logo and messaging popping up in all sorts of places around the island. From the back of a bus, to doctors’ surgeries to public hoarding, we’ll be spreading the word, and we hope you’ll support us where you can.About the campaign This campaign builds on what we started in 2024 when we created ‘Memory Lane’, by taking over Broad Street and promong
lifestyle changes we can all make to keep our brains healthy. We’ve been lucky enough to have a generous funder support the campaign which has meant we’re now able to reach more people with our markeng.MessagesOur three core concepts are to Love Your Heart, Stay Sharp and Keep Connected. In essence, this means that good cardiovascular and physical health, keeping our brains acve and staying socially connected are all key to building our ‘cognive reserve.’ In turn, this could help to delay or prevent, demena if we take acon early enough. These messages follow the main principles of the Alzheimer’s Research UK ‘Think Brain Health’ campaign.We’ve brought this messaging alive in the form of our brain superhero! He features in our Boost Your Brain logo and can be seen striking a variety of poses across our materials. We’ve even invested in a mascot so look out for him wandering about the streets of St Helier encouraging us all to Boost our Brains.Educaon One of the central features of the campaign is educaon. We’ve reviewed our island schools’ latest Personal Social and Health Educaon curriculum and discussed our content with key advisors, developing a lesson plan that we can deliver for secondary school students, plus resources for parents and teachers to support this. If you have a child or grandchild at school on the island, why not encourage them to invite us in?We’ve also revised our Demena Friendly Business content and our current Demena Friends oer to include ps on brain health, too. Get in touch if you’d like to know more. Where you’ll see usEverywhere! Our Boost Your Brain campaign will be featured on hoarding boards at the Internaonal Finance Centre, on posters, in informaon leaets at Parish Halls and surgeries, on the radio, on social media, with pop-up stands and even on the back of a bus! The Demena Jersey website also features a wealth of further content and ps on the ways you can reduce your risk. The new dedicated ‘Boost Your Brain’ secon also hosts an interacve quiz where you can reect on your own brain health and sign up to a newsleer series devoted to ps and strategies. We’ll be running our popular Big Brain Challenge again in May to coincide with Demena Awareness Week. This family-friendly walking quiz has a great prize aached. Keep an eye out for more informaon in the spring.13What is What is Cognitive Cognitive Reserve?Reserve?Cognive Reserve is our brain’s ability to cope with damage when faced with diseases such as Alzheimer’s. It’s the concept that people develop a reserve across their lifeme, which in turn improves brain resilience which protects against challenges and decits that can occur because of ageing and disease.* Dementia Prevenon, Intervenon, and Care: 2024 report of the Lancet standing Commission, August 2024.
1614What’s good for your heart is good for your brain! We’ll be starng our campaign with our Love Your Heart message, with this as our main focus of the campaign unl April – perfect ming for our 50 Mile Walking Challenge. Many of us know it’s important to look aer our heart by being physically acve, eang healthily and not smoking. But not everyone realises that this could keep our brains in shape, as well. But don’t worry, you don’t have to run before you can walk. Take a look at some of our simple ps to Love Your Heart:DancingWhether in the kitchen or at an event, dancing has great physical benets and is lots of fun!We’ll sll be connuing to run our usual acvies for people with demena and oering advice and guidance for carers, but our Boost Your Brain campaign will feature alongside other services during 2024. So why not take our online quiz and check out our resources? If you don’t have access to the internet, we can provide hard copies of materials if you get in touch. And please spread the word about how to Boost Your Brain so that as many islanders as possible can remain well as they age. Scan the code to take the QuizPilatesStrengthens core muscles, enhances posture and promotes body awareness. WalkingA brisk walk with friends or skipping to the bus and strolling home could be an achievable way of adding some exercise to your day.
Avenue ofAvenue ofVolcanoes Volcanoes Join Dementia Jersey’s epicScan the QR code for more informationwww.dementia.jeTake on this epic trek to help support people living with dementiaTrek in EcuadorTrek in EcuadorWith the option of an extension trip to the Galapagos Islands!15th – 23rd November 2025
Mount Kilimanjaro TrekMount Kilimanjaro TrekFundraisingFundraisingNewsNewsOur group of trekkers absolutely smashed their climb up Mount Kilimanjaro in September. They faced high altudes, steep climbs and long trekking days, but were rewarded with stunning views and a sense of achievement!The trip was self-funded and all funds raised will go directly towards helping us connue providing vital services and acvies for people aected by demena in Jersey and help create a demena friendly island. “Kilimanjaro was an adventure of a lifeme and I couldn’t have asked for a beer group of people to tackle the highest free-standing mountain in Africa with! The support everyone showed for each other along the way and their determinaon is truly inspiring. It’s safe to say this trip was a special one for the group. There were some tears but a lot more laughter! I’m so proud of our team for their incredible fundraising eorts. The money raised will make a real dierence in the lives of people in Jersey living with demena and their families. Thank you to everyone who supported our trek.” – Nadine Jagger, Demena Jersey Fundraising and Communicaons Coordinator16
FundraisingFundraisingNewsNewsOVER £46,000 RAISEDMount Mount Kilimanjaro Kilimanjaro Trek 2024Trek 202417
FundraisingFundraisingNewsNews18I signed up to the Kilimanjaro trek for two reasons - to ck o a bucket list item and of course, to raise money for Demena Jersey, a charity close to my heart - but I never expected to get as much out of the trip as I did. From the get-go Discover Adventure were on hand to help with any quesons and the team leader on the trek itself, Duncan, was brilliant. The local team on the ground looked aer us fantascally well, too, from the guides to the porters and everyone in between - we really couldn’t have done it without them! The whole experience, whilst challenging at mes, was made easier by the wonderful group of people I met and I truly feel that I have made friends for life. I absolutely loved this trip and I’m already thinking about signing up to the next one! – Alannah, FundraiserMount Mount Kilimanjaro Kilimanjaro Trek 2024Trek 2024
Support those living with dementia in Jersey by giving monthlyScan this QR code to visit our donations page£5 £10 £20will pay for new song books for our popular Musical Memories sessions for people with dementia.will pay for plants and owers in our new therapeuc allotment site for people with dementia.will pay for a face-to-face support session for up to 20 carers run by our Dementia Advisors.a month a month a monthIndividuals that give a monthly gi move us a step closer to achieving our vision of a dementia friendly island.DonateDonateBy choosing to donate monthly, you’re helping to make sure we can connue to provide life-changing support to islanders living with dementia. A regular gi means we can rely on consistent support and more eecvely budget throughout the year. Dementia Jersey exists to provide advice, support and informaon to the community as a whole. Our aim is to not only help about 1,600 people living with dementia on the island, but to also raise awareness and educate people to help remove the sgma and make Jersey a truly dementia friendly island. Mount Mount Kilimanjaro Kilimanjaro Trek 2024Trek 202419
100 Mile Cycle Challenge100 Mile Cycle ChallengeMemory WalkMemory WalkFundraisingFundraisingNewsNewsIn September, we challenged islanders to cycle 100 miles within the month, with some smashing that target within a day! The challenge could be completed by pedal bike, e-bike or gym bike. A HUGE thank you to everyone who got involved!Having a corporate sponsor means all money raised from the challenge can go directly back into the charity to help support people in Jersey living with demena. Thank you Carey Olsen. Gen II team members in acon during the challengeRBSI team members taking part in our cycle challenge On Sunday 22nd September, we were joined by around 150 people for our Memory Walk which started from La Frigate and ended just before the Parish Hall in St Aubin. It was such a great turnout, and we loved seeing so many people wearing purple! There were around another 20 people who chose to do their own Memory Walk at a me and place that suited them. This event was kindly sponsored byOVER £7,800 RAISEDOVER £4,446 RAISED20
SteveSteve kindly asks people to make a donaon to Demena Jersey in lieu of him nding their lost items.RBC Bake OCharloe’s Bake SaleFundraiserFundraiserShout OutsShout OutsRoy and friends cycle between Lands End and John O’GroatsOVER £2,000 RAISED£280 RAISED£556 RAISEDCurs’ Garden Railway Event OVER £2,300 RAISEDGet your purple on...Get your purple on... You can now order ‘Doing it for Dementia’ T-Shirts from our online shop www.dementia.je/shopwww.dementia.je/shopPrice Price £12.50£12.50Per shirt
In 2023 Demena Jersey launched ‘Club Uno’ - a social group for carers who wish to remain part of the Demena Jersey community but are no longer the primary care giver, either because their person with demena has passed away or moved to residenal care.ClubClub UnoUnoActivity Spotlight22
Club Uno meets socially once a month for a selected acvity. During its rst year the group have had a trip to the theatre, several lunches and brunches, got acve with line dancing sessions, been creave with pebbles and scallop shells, learnt to e-dye with natural dyes and will be making Christmas wreaths. Our choice of acvies is led by the group (we welcome new ideas for our sessions). Each quarter we like to organise something that involves eang, then something creave and something acve.We have used Karl from Step 55 for our more acve sessions linked up with ArtHouse Jersey on a couple of their community art projects and had creave input from others - as well as supporng a variety of local eateries and venues across Jersey.The sessions are informal, with aendees able to sign up for the monthly acvies that interests them, with no obligaon to aend the sessions they don’t fancy. Club Uno is our way of helping ll some of the void that is le when you no longer have to care for someone living with demena. Club Uno aendee Di said, “It’s incredibly hard to suddenly nd yourself alone with no-one to think of except yourself. Club Uno gives you the opportunity mix with others and try things you would never do by yourself. I’ve enjoyed every acvity… Maybe best of all it’s meeng and talking to others in the same boat and laughing! Laughter really is the best medicine.” Aendee Pam adds, “It has been a real help aer the shock of being alone. Lots of fun and maybe a few tears among friends.”ClubClub UnoUnoIf you wish to learn more about Club Uno or any of the acvies run by Demena Jersey please contact our Activities and Volunteer Coordinator, Susie Kelly: Email: susie@demena.je or Tel: 01534 723519Activity Spotlight23
Weekly ActivitiesFun ‘n’ Games Fun ‘n’ Games Out WestOut WestTime: 14:00 - 15:30Venue: St BreladeEvent Cost: Free - refreshments includedBooking in advance is required Join us for Fun ‘n’ Games every Monday aernoon in St Brelade.Enjoy games of dominoes, Jenga, bingo and cards or try your hand at a jigsaw, painng or colouring, in a relaxed sociable environment. We exercise our laughter muscles too by telling and sharing jokes.MondaysTime: 10:30 - 11:30 Venue: St HelierEvent Cost: Free + £3 for Coee & Connect Booking in advance is required Splashchat is a weekly social swimming group jointly run by the Occupaonal Therapists, the Memory Assessment Service, Demena Jersey and the AquaSplash. A 30 minute swim is followed by the opportunity to join the Coee & Connect group aerwards.SplashchatSplashchatTuesdaysDid you Did you know?know?100% of aendees to our acvies say they enjoy meeng people in the same boat and 75% said they feel less isolated.24
Weekly ActivitiesCoffee & ConnectCoffee & ConnectS ClubS ClubTime: 11:00 - 12:30Venue: St HelierEvent Cost: Free + £3 for refreshmentsBooking in advance is required Join us every Tuesday for a cuppa and an opportunity to talk with other people living with demena, their carers and our volunteers. Coee & Connect provides a great seng for those living with demena and those caring for someone with demena, to take a break and connect with others who are going through the same journey. Share stories or just listen and share some laughter.Time: 14:30 - 16:00Venue: St MarnEvent Cost: Free - refreshments includedBooking in advance is required Our programme of four gentle exercise based activities rotang on a weekly basis. There should be something for everyone; book one, two, three or all four activities:Strike – Seated boxingStretch – Gentle chair based yogaStep – Eastern inspired movementShimmy – A fun seated disco sessionAll groups are led by qualied instructors and are designed for those living with demena and their carers.TuesdaysTuesdays25
Weekly ActivitiesArt ExploraonArt ExploraonTime: Session 1 - 10:00 - 11:15Time: Session 2 - 11:30 - 12:45 Venue: St PeterEvent Cost: Free - refreshments includedBooking in advance is required This art therapy programme is specically designed for people with demena and members of their families and carers. Join us and explore your creavity. Free parking.WednesdaysTime: 14:30 - 15:30Venue: St Helier / VariousEvent Cost: FreeRefreshments: To be paid forBooking in advance is required We meet regularly at the Radisson for a gentle 30-minute walk around the marina followed by refreshments at the hotel. Our route is in an accessible locaon away from busy roads and over at terrain with regular seats for those who would like a quick break. Once a month we visit a dierent locaon around the island, giving us a chance to explore dierent parts of Jersey. Please contact the oce to conrm venue. Walk ‘n’ TalkWalk ‘n’ TalkWednesdays26
Weekly ActivitiesPétanque in the ParkPétanque in the ParkFun ‘n’ GamesFun ‘n’ Games Out EastOut EastTime: 10:30 - 12:00Venue: St MarnEvent Cost: Free - refreshments includedBooking in advance is required Any budding Pétanque players please join us. St Marn Village Green is a great venue for a walk too so we hope to get people acve either by playing Pétanque, having a walk, or both. Join us for a drink which we serve at the Pétanque terrain.We have indoor Pétanque sessions during the winter months.Time: 14:00 - 15:30Venue: St ClementEvent Cost: Free - refreshments includedBooking in advance is required Join us for Fun ‘n’ Games every Thursday aernoon in St Clement. Enjoy games of dominoes, Jenga, bingo and cards or try your hand at a jigsaw, painng or colouring, in a relaxed sociable environment.ThursdaysThursdaysDid you Did you know?know? In 2023 we had over 8,500 aendances to appointments with Dementia Advisors, events for carers and our programme of activities.27
Weekly ActivitiesGardening ClubGardening ClubTime: 10:30 - 12:00Venue: St ClementEvent Cost: Free - refreshments includedBooking in advance is required Join us to enjoy the benefits of the great outdoors at our Forget-Me-Not Plot. Our allotment has to be seen to be believed.Get your hands dirty with some light gardening dues or just come and enjoy being in nature with a tea or coee in peaceful surroundings. Please bring along your own gardening gloves. Be aware in places the ground is a lile uneven.FridaysTime: 15:30 - 17:00Venue: St HelierEvent Cost: Free - refreshments includedBooking in advance is requiredMusical Memories is a weekly singing group for people with demena and their carers. Join us as we sing well loved songs, play musical instruments and engage in musical acvies.Most of all we have fun and share laughter with an aim to: Smulate memory Increase communicaon Encourage social networks.Rusty voices welcome.Musical MemoriesMusical MemoriesFridaysFor further information and to register your interest to join one of our dementia friendly acvies, please contact our office: Email: info@dementia.je or Tel: 01534 723519Want to join Want to join one of our one of our activities?activities?28
Event SpotlightDuring 2024 Demena Jersey has held three tea dances, with a fourth happening just before Christmas. In partnership with Karl from Step 55 these have taken place on Saturday aernoons at Communicare, St Brelade. Our dances have been great fun, highly sociable and accompanied by a delicious tea. Karl and his team of dancers have been so posive and inclusive, encouraging everybody to join the dancing. Karl said “Dancing is well known for its health and well-being benets and through hosng the tea dances for Demena Jersey we generate an energy for all… It is so rewarding to see that we are enabling an aernoon of fun for all to just switch o let their hair down and dance to whatever, however!”The posive energy, smiling faces and growing numbers of aendees are testament to the enjoyment and engagement of those who come along. Thanks to Karl (and his team) for being such a splendid dance leader and for his organisaon of the refreshments. Thanks, must also go to our fabulous volunteers who have donned their dancing shoes, taken some turns around the oor and then done the washing up. Here’s to more dances in 2025.TeaTea DanceDance29
Getting Getting to know...to know...30
Vivien was born in South Africa, Johannesburg, in 1951, before moving to Salisbury in Rhodesia in the mid 50s. At school Vivien used to be prey good at fencing and also did hockey, diving and swimming.A lover of travel, Vivien has travelled far and wide including, Germany; France; Switzerland; Iceland; Indonesia; Australia; Venezuela; New York; San Francisco; Maldives; Bahamas; Brish Virgin Islands and New Zealand. Vivien says out of all the places she has been to Jersey is her favourite.Vivien has had a varied career – from being a secretary in London during the 1970s and a café manager. Then an air hostess for Brish Caledonia (later merged with Brish Airways). She then retrained as a nurse and aer registering worked in theatres; A&E, wards and later did some health vising. During the 1990s Vivien put her nursing skills to use whilst living in Jakarta and was a school nurse at the Brish Internaonal School.Whilst growing up in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), Vivien loved climbing avocado and pecan nut trees as a child and eang the spoils. She grew lots of dierent veggies in her own lile garden. It was her passion as a child.you may (or may not) know about Vivien:5 FactsGetting to knowMeet Vivien Emery who along with her husband, John, lives in the Parish of St Brelade. Vivien and John have been married 37 years and have three grown-up children, Kate, Alex and James. Vivien was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at the end of 2023 and since her diagnosis has engaged with the majority of support on oer at Demena Jersey and aends weekly Fun & Games, S Club, Art Exploraon, Musical Memories and the Meeng Place Project. Vivien can give you a long list of what she loves about the acvies she aends; the company, laughter, chang, games, music, sta, silliness, support, encouragement and mind boost.Meet activities attendeeVivien Emery1234531
Carer’s SupportCarer’s SupportEach month Demena Jersey host a range of Carer’s Support Meengs for family and friends who are caring for someone with dementia.Meengs take place in a variety of venues and at dierent mes. They are held in a relaxed seng and include refreshments and the chance for you to meet with other carers. Demena Advisors are on hand at each meeng for an informal chat and to answer any quesons. You’re welcome to join all or just one of the sessions and you can invite another family member or friend to join you if you wish. Our carers have told us how helpful these meengs are and have welcomed the friendship and support from their fellow carers. Our demena advisors are also available for one-to-one appointments. Our free, friendly, supporve groups are open to anyone supporng or caring for a relave or friend with demena. They are informal opportunies to meet others over a cup of coee. If you would like to book a place at one of our carer support meetings please contact Dementia Jersey on Email: info@demena.je or Tel: 01534 723519MeetingsMeetingsDemena is the fastest growing condion aecng over 65s on the island and we predict that cases will double within a generaon.Did you Did you know?know?32
Morning Meeting Morning Meeting Out EastOut EastVenue: RansomsWhen: Held once a monthTime: 11:00 - 13:00Event Cost: Free + £3.00 charge for refreshments.Please bring cash.Boys Own Meeting Boys Own Meeting Out EastOut EastVenue: Le Hocq InnWhen: Held quarterlyTime: 19:00 - 21:00Event Cost: Free - Food and drink can be ordered on the night at your expense.Quarterly Meeting Quarterly Meeting with Guest Speakerwith Guest Speaker Venue: Monterey HotelWhen: Held quarterlyTime: 19:00 - 21:00Event Cost: Free + £3.00 charge for refreshments.Please bring cash.Evening Meeting Evening Meeting St HelierSt HelierVenue: Demena JerseyWhen: Held quarterlyTime: 19:00 - 21:00Event Cost: Free + £3.00 charge for refreshments.Please bring cash.Aernoon MeetingAernoon MeetingOut WestOut WestVenue: CommunicareWhen: Held once a monthTime: 14:00 - 16:00Event Cost: Free + £3.00 charge for refreshments.Please bring cash.Morning Meeting Morning Meeting St HelierSt HelierVenue: Radisson HotelWhen: Held once a monthTime: 11:00 - 13:00Event Cost: Free + £3.00 charge for refreshments.Please bring cash.We currently run the following Carers’ Support GroupsTo book your place at one of these sessions or for further informaon on dates and speaker topics, please contact us. Email: info@demena.je or Tel: 01534 723519 Advance booking is required 33Carer’s Support
MeetingsMeetingsA carer’s day out A carer’s day out with a dierencewith a dierenceThe Carers Recharger Day - 28th September 202430 Carers enjoyed an amazing Carers Recharger Day on the 28th September with funding we received from a very kind benefactor. The day started with a boat trip on the Jersey Duchess to see the island from a dierent perspecve travelling along the southwest coast, taking in sights including the iconic La Corbiere Lighthouse, this was followed by a delicious three-course luncheon at the Greenhills Country Hotel.34Event Spotlight
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Jane held an educaonal session with students at Highlands College36In the past quarter our Community Education Coordinator Jane Vincent has delivered a broad range of demena awareness and training sessions, spanning audiences from schools and corporate environments to the general public.These sessions included Demena Friends open to the general public at the Library and invited sessions to businesses Viberts, Micron M & E Services and St Johns Ambulance Carers training course. During the quarter Dementia Friendly Business sessions were delivered to JT, using in person training sessions and on-line training sessions.Educaonal sessions were delivered to De La Salle School as we were their chosen charity of choice in 2024. Jane delivered sessions telling them about Demena Jersey services so the students could learn about dementia, how this impacts people lives, how they can engage with people living with demena and how people with demena can sll live well. School assemblies EducationEducationDementiaDementia
were delivered to Trinity School where the pupils really engaged with this dicult subject and le with a great understanding.Addionally, Jane provided tailored extended training on engagement strategies, fostering a deeper understanding of exible support needs for people with demena. The sessions have varied in size and seng, from engaging with 65 parcipants in a large group to more inmate personalised sengs with as few as six aendees, making demena educaon accessible. This work has been well accepted, furthered awareness and empowered parcipants to adopt strategies and understanding that foster demena-friendly environments across diverse sectors.You can nd out more about our demena educaon services at hps://demena.je/educaon.Demena Friends session at the Library in NovemberWe held two demena educaon workshops with the team at JT in SeptemberJane held a Demena Friends Talk with the 10th Beauport Scout TroopA successful Demena Friends session in November with the team at T&G37EducationEducationDemena Education
A one hour interactive session to learn about dementiaSessions are held once a month at the Sessions are held once a month at the Jersey Library.Jersey Library.Our Demena Friends programme aims to change the way people think, act and talk about dementia. Each session includes ve key messages on demena as well as activities to enhance people’s understanding of dementia.With increased awareness and further understanding local people can beer support those living with dementia.Booking in advance is requiredTo book a session scan the QR code or Email: info@dementia.je or Tel: 01534 723519www.dementia.jeBecome a Become a Dementia Dementia FriendFriendSign up nowSign up nowScan this QR code to book your session
39MeetingsMeetingsWe are excited to announce that the Meeng Place Project has opened a new weekly group at St Ouen’s Parish Hall. This new group will provide opportunies for peer support, informaon about living with demena and brain-smulang acvies to islanders with mild demena living out west.The inaugural event took place on Halloween, with aendees taking part in spooky-themed puzzles as well an opportunity to try an ‘Eastern Inspired Movement’ class aimed to help with balance and coordinaon.Demand for spaces at the Meeng Place has increased year-on-year since the project launched in 2021 and with more people geng referred to us than ever before we’re pleased to increase our weekly oering to 5 groups!The Meeng Place project is held weekly in St Marn; St Clement; St Helier; St Brelade and now St Ouen.Who is the Meeng Place for?People with newly diagnosed, mild demena who are sll living independently in the community.Volunteering at the Meeng Place!We couldn’t do it without our dedicated team of volunteers! Whether it’s supporng a person with demena to complete a crossword, sharpening pencils or handing out biscuits, the support of our volunteers is vital to the success of the groups! THANK YOU ALL.The MeetingThe MeetingPlace ProjectPlace ProjectVolunteerVolunteerInterested in volunteering? Please contact our Activities and Volunteer Coordinator Susie Kelly: Email: susie@dementia.je or Tel: 01534 723519
CounsellingCounsellingIt’s good to talk.We’re here to listenfor people with dementia and their familiesBecause we know it’s good to talk about the things that are troubling us, Dementia Jersey provides a bespoke counselling service for people with demena and their families.What is counselling?What is counselling?Counselling is a talking therapy that gives you the opportunity to talk in condence with a trained professional who can help you explore your feelings, thoughts or worries. This can help you nd greater clarity in complicated situaons, understand your feelings in response to these situaons and help you make eecve changes to feel stronger for the future. Counsellors work with people in various ways so even if you have had counselling in the past with another counsellor in another service, our counselling service may be a lile dierent. This is because it was designed parcularly to meet the needs of people with demena and family carers.Our counselling service is very exible. You can see a counsellor for just one session or for several sessions over several weeks or months and you don’t need to be referred to this service by a GP or other health professional.
41Sessions are usually about an hour long, but each session can be shorter or slightly longer if this is beer for you.People usually want to speak condenally, in private with a counsellor, but we also welcome couples and families who want to aend together to talk about issues that are aecng their whole family. In counselling you will never be asked to talk about things you do not want to discuss, though the counsellor will be able to support you in exploring dicult life events, or thoughts and feelings that are troubling, or sr up strong emoonal responses.Who is this service for?Who is this service for?This service is for anyone who is aected by demena, including people with demena living at home or in a care home, their families and friends and people who are bereaved following the death of someone with demena.How can I nd out more about How can I nd out more about counselling?counselling?You can nd out more about Demena Jersey’s counselling service by vising our website www.demena.je or about counselling more generally by vising www.bacp.co.uk. Where and when would I see a Where and when would I see a counsellor?counsellor?You should be able to see a counsellor within one or two weeks of contacng us. Appointments can be made for a me to suit you, either at our oce in St Helier or if it is not possible for you to come to our oce, we can in certain circumstances, visit you at home or in a care home.How much does How much does this cost?this cost?There is no charge for the counselling service, though if you would like to make a donaon to help support the work we do, this would be very welcome.As well as one-to-one support, Dementia Jersey also provide a range of support groups and activities to support people with demena, carers and family members.Did you Did you know?know?Counselling ServiceHow do I arrange to How do I arrange to see a counsellor? see a counsellor? To make an appointment to see a counsellor, please phone or email us at Demena Jersey.Email: info@demena.je Tel: 01534 723517Scan this QR code for more information
Lived Experience Lived Experience Advisory PanelAdvisory Panel (LEAP)Our Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP) meets four mes a year and brings together up to 25 people with dementia and others with lived experience of supporng or caring for a person with dementia, across four groups.Listening to youDemena Jersey is passionate about listening to the voices of our service users. We know that people with demena and their family and friends have a wealth of knowledge and understanding that can only be gained from experience. The purpose of LEAPYour lived experience of demena, either as someone with a diagnosis of demena or as a carer, can really help other people understand what it is like to have, or to care for someone with demena. Your experience can also help the team at Demena Jersey, Health and Community Services, other charies and businesses to LEAPPeople living with demena and their carers have an equal right to respect and inclusion, to diagnosis, quality care and treatment.Did you Did you know?know?42
design and provide services to meet your needs.What happens in LEAP meetings?All LEAP meengs are relaxed events that always include coee and chat but have a clear focus and subject for discussion. They are facilitated by Sian, our Clinical Lead. LEAP reports are wrien to summarise the discussions and include details of any recommendaons the panel make. These reports are published on Demena Jersey’s website and the recommendaons are shared as appropriate with other organisaons. LEAP for carersThe LEAP for Carers is an evening meeng for anyone who has experience of caring for a person with demena, including people being cared for at home or in a care home.We are parcularly keen to welcome new people to these meengs so we can hear from as many of you as possible. There is no formal membership for LEAP, but it is helpful if you can let us know if you would like to aend a meeng. LEAP for people with dementiaPeople with demena aending our Meeng Place Project sessions also take an acve part in LEAP, contribung valuable insights to the subjects for discussion. Our Clinical Lead aends these meengs with the Meeng Place Project hosts and as with our LEAP for Carers sessions, anonymised comments from these sessions are included in the nal reports.Lived Experience Advisory PanelScan the QR Code to visit our LEAP website pageswww.dementia.jeFind out more about LEAPIf you would like more information about Dementia Jersey’s LEAP sessions or would like to talk with one of the team about joining a LEAP meeting, please contact Dementia Jersey on Email: info@demena.je or Tel: 01534 72351943
Volunteer Volunteer SpotlightSpotlight44
As luck would have it Demena Jersey subsequently reached out looking for a replacement Treasurer, we were introduced to each other by my old work colleague and here I am today acng as a Trustee and the Treasurer of Demena Jersey.My working life up to 2020 was in based in nancial services and my contact with charies to that point was through personal or corporate donaons made. That has completely changed since I became Trustee/Treasurer as I have learned a great deal about what happens with money donated to a charity by funding the tremendous work that sta and volunteers undertake to help people in our community. Furthermore, I am learning more about the charity sector as a whole in the Island and how vital it is that we are one of so many organisaons that exist to provide crucial services to those in need.The role has also introduced me to a new group of people that I otherwise would have been most unlikely to meet and work with and that has been really enjoyable. I am not “front line” as a volunteer, but I view my role is to ensure the nancial and future well being of Demena Jersey and by extension help it and those people that either are volunteers or sta to undertake their roles that help those living with or caring for those people living with demena. The new premises should further enhance what is done by the charity in our community and it has been great to be involved (in a small way) in geng that ready for our move.Demena Jersey Trustee and TreasurerWhen I le my role in a local Trust Company in 2020, I said to myself that I wanted to help someone or something, without knowing what either of those might be. In 2022 fate played its hand when I bumped into an old colleague from many years ago and in chatting, I menoned my desire to provide assistance to an organisaon o the back of my accounng qualicaon.Simon PerchardVolunteerVolunteerInterested in volunteering? Please contact our Activities and Volunteer Coordinator Susie Kelly: Email: susie@dementia.je or Tel: 01534 72351945Volunteer Spotlight
Book ClubWhether con or non-ction, reading can be a great way to increase understanding about demena, as well as providing a useful acvity with people with dementia to help stimulate and maintain connections. This issue we feature books that are recommended by our friends at Alzheimer’s Society.What You Really Want to Know About Life with Demena By Karen Harrison Dening, Hilda Hayo and Chrisne ReddallChocolate Rain : 100 ideas for a creative approach to acvies in demena care by Sarah ZoutewelleWhat You Really Want to Know About Life with Demena seeks to turn the tradional guide to demena on its head. Rather than compiling informaon that healthcare professionals want people aected by demena to know, it asks people with demena, their family and carers what they think is important. Well researched and compiled, the authors have carefully themed the content and covered many of the main topics of concern about living with demena. Each chapter begins with case studies, describing personal experiences, which are then commented on by experienced experts including specialist demena nurses. The themes were chosen following co-operaon and consultaon with families aected by demena. Available to purchase from Amazon.co.ukSarah Zoutewelle-Morris is an expert in visual arts, and she has applied her skills to her work as an arst in health care for many years. Her new book is tled ‘Chocolate rain: 100 ideas for a creave approach to acvies in demena care’.This Praccal and meaningful book groups and cross-references acvies – from holding objects, adapng games or making window decoraons and hanging mobiles to acvies based on a person’s former profession – according to specic needs and goals. For example, under “individual acvies” it provides ideas for a person who can speak but cannot read or for someone who is bedridden. Most importantly, this book is about empowering the person with demena.’ Available to purchase Amazon.co.uk46
Consumer CornerIn each issue of Dementia Matters we will provide reviews of products and tech that are designed to help people with demena. In this issue we have selected items featured on the Alzheimer’s Society website. Tactile TurnThis folding fabric so ring is designed to help hands keep busy and relaxed, whilst providing comfort and soothing agitaon.Helps with: Stress and reassurance, Diculty Sleeping, ComfortAvailable from Alzheimer’s Society for £20.82 Oom - GPS locator tag starter kitOom is an intelligent, Danish-designed tracking tag which protects people with demena from geng lost from their private homes or nursing homes. Oom does not monitor the person connuously; tracking only begins when the individual leaves a predened area. Moreover, the device can run for a whole month on a single charge.Oom was developed in collaboraon with relaves, caregivers and people with demena.Available from Alzheimer’s Society for £360.00Circuit MazeCircuit Marble Maze is a game designed to encourage dexterity and coordinaon. Guide the marble around the track by lng the maze with both hands. Provides a sense of excitement and pride when players reach the end of the course. Suitable for people living with mid to late stages of demena. Available from Alzheimer’s Society for £19.1647Scan the QR codes to view the products on their website.
Ways you can Ways you can support ussupport usOur running costs are over £700,000 per annum. We therefore rely on the support and generosity of the public and the business community. All money raised in Jersey is spent in Jersey.Donate OnlineDonate OnlineMake a donaon online via our website: www.dementia.jeDonate by chequeDonate by chequePlease make cheques payable to ‘Dementia Jersey’ and send to our office at the address below.FundraiseFundraiseRaise money through a challenge event by walking, cycling, abseiling, trekking or skydiving for Dementia Jersey; or pick a challenge of your own. Please contact Nadine for more information. Email: nadine@dementia.jeVolunteerVolunteerConsider volunteering at our events. For more information please contact our Activities and Volunteer Coordinator, Susie. Email: susie@dementia.jeContact usContact usTel: 01534 723519Email: info@dementia.jeWeb: www.dementia.jePost: Dementia Jersey, 74 Halke Place, St Helier, JE2 4WHHours: 10:00 - 16:00 Monday to FridayJersey Charities Commission number 42 • Patron Dr Karen KydFind, Like and Share us onwww.dementia.jeScan This QR Code to visit our donations pageThis magazine is kindly sponsored bySkiptonCommunityFund