The Gloucester Dementia Strategy Event 2017 at Kingsholm

Hi All,


Just to let you all know how things went yesterday at the Gloucester Dementia Strategy Event at Kingsholm.


There was a good turnout of organisations at the event; Age UK, Active Gloucester, Alzheimer's Society UK, Carers Gloucestershire, Dementia Research, Red Cross, Gloucester Dementia Action Alliance, Gloucestershire Police, Gloucestershire County Council, 2gether Trust and our good selves at GreenSquare.

Mark and Renata at GDS 2017

There was ample opportunity for networking and catching up with old friends as we explained GreenSquare's role in the community and as a Housing Association. We spoke of the way that we have become more dementia friendly through our Dementia Friends meetings and the way we look to support our client group via Housing Support. Also we looked at what GreenSquare's role might be in pioneering the way in Dementia Friendly Housing.
It was noticeable that we were the only Housing Association in Gloucester with a presence at this event and it helped to raise our profile within this community.
We went on to explain the work that we are doing with the Gloucester Dementia Action Alliance and also the work that we are carrying out in the community for people with dementia. This was viewed as progressive involvement in the field and other agencies are now interested in GreenSquare's support for people with dementia and also in joining the Gloucester Dementia Action Alliance.

The Event

The afternoon session consisted of a series of talks from keynote speakers ranging from how postcards can aid people with dementia in conversation through to Kate Lewington of Age UK giving an impassioned speech about how we link people with dementia into the community and the focus on what we are trying to do. This ranged from ideas such as getting Dementia Friends sessions into schools and having a Dementia Link Worker at GP Surgeries to help with early diagnosis and also to be able to signpost much earlier in the onset of dementia.


After the speeches, there were some workshops regarding befriending and also Lena Maller was there to let everyone know about the development of the Dementia Board Game that has now been launched in 31 of our local libraries.