Latest News

Pilot of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy In Ivybridge - PL21 0SZ

Conversation Works are piloting a Cognitive Stimulation Therapy session in Ivybridge on 20th February 2025 between 14:30 and 16:30 hours in the Beacon Room at the Watermark, Ivybridge.

This is a one off, no cost trial session designed to see if there is enough interest to establish a regular weekly group. This is a great opportunity for people with early to middle dementia to come along and try it out and see what Conversation Works has to offer.

Please contact Katherine Bailey to find out more and book your space. Katherine can be contacted either by mobile on 07899 993134 or by email on katherine@conversationworks.co.uk.

For Further information on Conversation Works see their entry on the Four River Dementia Alliance 'Support Organisations' webpage.

Conversation Works Information Poster (pdf)

Conversation Works

16th November 2024

Community Liaison & Support Lead

Claire Puckey has joined the Four Rivers Dementia Alliance as the new Community Liaison and Support Lead from 28th October 2024.

Claire will be employed for a 12 month period contracted for 30 hours per month. She is still the Dementia Community Lead for Dementia Friendly Parishes Around The Yealm and will bring a wealth of experience to her new role. Please read her biography on our 'About' page.

Initially, she will be devising a work and training package to take out to social groups, rural organisations, rural businesses and parish councils in the parishes within the Four Rivers catchment area. She will also be working with our partners within the South Hams to help rural communities to become dementia friendly and inclusive. It is envisaged that workshops will be held throughout the year to help encourage and train local organisations to think about dementia, involve and support people in their communities and reduce potential isolation for a person with a diagnosis of dementia, their families and their carers.

Claire will report on progress to the wider Four Rivers Dementia Alliance through the 6 weekly review meetings as well as working on strategy with Four Rivers Dementia Alliance Team.

It is hoped to raise additional grants to fund Claire for successive years should 2024/2025 prove a successful strategy.

Claire is available for initial contact through the following email:
development@4riversdementia.org.uk.
Her mobile contact number will be published soon.

28th October 2024

South Hams Community Action - What Is Social Prescribing

Amanda Perry Volunteer and Wellbeing Manager at South Hams Community Action has provided a short summary explaining 'What Is Social Prescribing'.

As Amanda states - "Social Prescribing is an approach that connects people to activities, groups, and services in their community to meet the practical, social, and emotional needs that affect their health and wellbeing".

Many Health Centres now have Social Prescribers attached to them, supporting people particularly around loneliness, social isolation and mental health especially in support for a person with a diagnosis of dementia, their families or individual carers.

South Hams Community Action helps local voluntary and community groups to flourish. They also work with residents in the South Hams through their health and wellbeing team which includes social prescribers and community link workers.

What Is Social Prescribing (pdf)

South Hams Community Action

22nd October 2024

Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST)

Katherine Bailey of Conversation Works came to the Four Rivers Dementia Alliance meeting on 3rd October to discuss the potential idea of starting a Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) group in Ivybridge.

A CST group is for those living with mild-moderate dementia and meets for two hours, once a week, with lots of thinking activities and discussion to 'work' the brain, with all the added benefits of a small social group.

Currently Katherine runs two Cognitive Stimulation Therapy groups around Bovey Tracy.

Following the meeting Ivybridge councillor Shirley Weeks expressed and interest in the possibility of setting up a group in Ivybridge and Katherine has been put in touch with her and Ivybridge councillor Victor Abbot who is working on the Dementia Friendly Ivybridge initiative.

If you would like to understand the basics of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy, Katherine has provided some notes to read.

Katherine Bailey - Basic Information On CST (pdf)

Conversation Works

17th October 2024

Dementia Friendly Parishes Around The Yealm - New Carer's Group

Dementia Friendly Parishes Around The Yealm are starting a new social group for carers.

The new group is inclusive and anyone caring for someone living with dementia or other conditions is welcome. The aim is to create a friendly, supportive and relaxed get-together were ideas, tips and company can be shared over a cuppa and cakes!

The first meeting is scheduled for Friday 1st November between 2:00pm and 3:30pm and will take place at the Methodist Church Hall, Yealmpton PL8 2LZ.

If you would like further information then contact Claire Puckey who is the Community Development Lead for Dementia Friendly Parishes Around The Yealm on 07450 206312 or alternatively email info@dementiayealm.org.

Dementia Friendly Parishes Around The Yealm

16th October 2024

South Hams Community Action - Advise On Loss Of Winter Fuel Payment

HAVE YOU LOST YOUR WINTER FUEL PAYMENT?

DO YOU RECEIVE STATE PENSION BUT ARE STRUGGLING ON LOW INCOME?

The Government believe that there are over 800,000 pensioners who are entitled to Pension Credit but who are not claiming it! Pension Credit is considered a passport benefit, which means if you receive it, you might be eligible to receive other benefits and discounts.

Important to note - you can have savings of up to and over £10,000 and still claim pension credit (if your actual income is low).
You can check your possible entitlement via the following tools:
https://www.entitledto.co.uk/
and
https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit-calculator

Here is further information and advice:
https://www.gov.uk/cost-of-living/60-or-over
https://www.gov.uk/cost-of-living/bills-housing-health
https://www.gov.uk/cost-of-living/disabled-or-health-condition
https://www.southhams.gov.uk/support-directory

APPLYING FOR PENSION CREDIT?
You can either apply online here https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim, or you can contact the pension credit claim line as follows (please be aware that some support may be needed):
Pension Credit claim line
Telephone: 0800 99 1234
Textphone: 0800 169 0133
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 99 1234
British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service if you’re on a computer - find out how to use the service on mobile or tablet, from the ‘how to claim’ information page.
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm

Further support may be available for those who cannot claim pension credit, but who are struggling on low income from the Household Support Fund.
Applications can be made in October 2024, when further details will be released.
Applications are made online or through a trusted partner.

The Household Support Fund is available to provide rapid short-term financial support to meet immediate needs and help those who are struggling to afford food, energy and water bills, and other related essentials this year. Contact telephone number for South Hams District Council: 01803 861234, or go online at:

https://www.southhams.gov.uk/benefits-and-support/other-available-support/household-support-fund

Advice For Print Out (pdf)

South Hams Community Action

16th October 2024

Devon Dementia Strategy - Overview Report - Work In Progress

Devon County Council's Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee have requested an update on the development of a system Dementia Strategy for Devon.

As the overview states:
Currently there is no comprehensive dementia strategy for Devon. With an ageing population it is important to develop a dementia strategy to support a joined-up system response for statutory, voluntary and independent sector partners. There is a particular need for earlier diagnosis for people to support and enhance life opportunities for individuals and their families, and to prepare the system to cope with increasing demand for services.

Whilst the development of the strategy is very important given the rising numbers of people diagnosed with dementia there is work in progress to support the strategy. The approach is to work to a cohesive strategy in delivering dementia care.

Dementia Strategy Development – Outline Report (pdf)

14th October 2024

SHCA - Report Into Social Isolation and Loneliness In the South Hams

South Hams Community Action has been undertaking an initial survey across the district to look at loneliness and isolation and also exploring the barriers to joining community activities and hobbies. They have also reviewed the types of activities people might like to see in their communities.
This report was undertaking over four months and is the first phase in understanding the needs of lonely and socially isolated residents in the South Hams.
Although not directly related to dementia the issues raised in the report highlight the same problems and concerns for people living with a diagnosis of dementia and the families and carers. Many suffer social isolation and loneliness, hence the need to work towards dementia friendly communities to support not just people living with dementia but all people in our communities no matter how small who maybe lonely and socially isolated. For communities to flourish residents need to respect and support each other.
Find out more about South Hams Community Action by going to their website.

Social Isolation And Loneliness In The South Hams (pdf)

South Hams Community Action

22nd May 2024