Hope everybody is getting into the festive swing of things and looking forward to cutting a rug at the Christmas parties.
I'm writing this blog today as a celebration of all the work that has been achieved this year and upcoming projects that we will soon be getting involved with.
The first thing I would like to talk about is a project that's quite dear to me. This is the "A Day in the Life Dementia" play that we have been working on at Gloucester College. This forms part of the HNC/HND diploma that the students are working towards.
The play is based on a number of scenarios that are experienced by people living with dementia and their carers. These range from night time disorientation, separation anxiety, repetitive questioning and walking with a purpose. The students have taken on these subject matters and desired learning outcomes to produce an interactive piece of work that illustrates how this affects the person living with dementia.
I have had the privilege of being involved in the progress of this work from inception to end and have been joined along the way by my partner in crime Sian Merrion-Jones of the Gloucester Dementia Action Alliance, Kim Dement of the Gloucester Dementia Education and Strategy team and Kate Barnes of the Gloucestershire Healthy Living and Learning Schools and Colleges Services for Children and Young People and as always the guiding hand of Lena Maller of the Forest of Dean District Council.
It's fair to say that anyone who has seen what the students have produced so far have been completely blown away by the intensity of the performance.
I have just received details of the dates and times of the performances which are on Monday the 9th of December at 10-1030, 10:45-11:15,11:30-12:00, 12:30-13:00 and 16:15-16:45 and Friday the 13th December at 10-10:30, 10:45-11:15, 11:30-12:00, 13:15-13:45 and 14:00-14:30.
Myself and Sian will be inviting dignitaries from the field of housing, dementia and public service to attend the shows as well as people living with dementia and their carers.
The hope is that this will become a personal fixture in the HNC/HND programme and will be rolled out at various times throughout the year for other colleges to come and look at what the students are doing and incorporate this into their own programmes. This will hopefully then lead to a roll out at a national level.
This is currently being led by myself and the wonderful Di Martin (IDVA)(Prospective MP for the Forest of Dean and all round inspiration). I will update you more on this after the next meeting.
On Wednesday the 4th of December, I will be attending the inaugural meeting of the Gloucestershire Dementia Action Alliance, which looks to incorporate all the work being carried out by all the different Dementia organisations throughout the county and bring it all under one big umbrella. I have provided a copy of the terms of reference below.
In the New Year I will be attending the South Western Ambulances Services Silver Services event which focuses on treating the older person better. I will be hosting a stall and giving a talk about dementia and how it can be better supported throughout our community.
