Dementia Awareness and Support

Introduction

As part of the Harlow Dementia Friendly Community, the Rainbow Community Builder (Dementia) project is working with partners across the town to:-

Increase awareness of Dementia
Increase the number of Dementia Friends
Increase the number of Dementia Friendly organisations
Facilitate more activities and events which are suitable for those living with dementia and their carers.
Maintain a library of online and printed resources relating to dementia.

Dementia Who Cares?

We aim to make Harlow a Dementia Friendly place to live and work, we all have a part to play in making that happen. When faces with the question ‘Dementia, who cares?’. We hope you will join us in a resounding ‘WE DO!’

Dementia Connect

Dementia Connect, Alzheimer’s Society’s dementia support service, is free, easy to access, and puts you in touch with the right support. From local help to phone and online advice.

Call 0333 150 3456 (Monday – Wednesday 9:00am – 8:00pm, Thursday –Friday: 9:00am – 5:00pm, Saturday – Sunday: 10:00am – 4:00pm

Or visit Visit Dementia Connect | Alzheimer’s Society (alzheimers.org.uk)

Support for Carers

Action for Family Carers – 0300 770 8090 – Action for family carers | Supporting Carers Across Essex (affc.org.uk)

Bookcase Analogy

One of the clearest and simplest explanations about how Dementia effects people is found in the Bookcase Analogy.

Fairy Lights Analogy

For a simple non-scientific explanation of how dementia effects the brain take a look at the Fairy Lights Analogy.

Dementia Friendly Communities

Our aim is to help people live well with dementia for as long as possible. With this in mind Harlow’s Dementia Friendly Community seeks to :-

Raise Awareness
Develop a network of Dementia Friendly Organisations
Provide events and activities which help people live well with dementia.
Listen to those living with dementia and their carers.

To find out how you and/or your organisation could help, contact Ron Kingsmill ron@rainbowservices.org.uk 07554 126754.

Dementia Friendly Events & Activities

To download a printable schedule of Dementia Friendly activities in Harlow, click here.

Dementia Fair 2024

Dementia Information Hub at PAH

Wrights Court Dementia Friendly Coffee Morning

Meeting every Friday Morning at 10.30am this is a dementia friendly space, where all are welcome to join us. Activities include seated exercise, quiz’s, Hoy, reminiscence and singing.

For more information contact ron@rainbowservices.org.uk or call 07918 605744

Nature’s Choices – Weekly on Mondays at 1pm

A great chance for those living with Dementia and their carers to connect with Nature in Harlow Town Park.

Indoor and outdoor activities each week throughout the year. Click on the image for more information, or contact ron@rainbowservices.org.uk or call 07918 605744.

Dementia Friendly Coffee Mornings

Meeting every Tuesday from the 8th February at 10.30am at St James Church, Perry Road, CM18 7NP this group is friendly for those with Dementia and their Carers, but all are welcome.

With a variety of activities that help those attending to develop friendships, have fun and improve general health and wellbeing.

For more information contact ron@rainbowservices.org.uk or call 07918 605744

This weekly coffee morning meets every Friday 10.30am – 12pm at St. Mary-at-Latton Church Hall, The Gowers, Harlow CM20 2JP.

This is a lovely, friendly group, meeting in a relaxed atmosphere where we have great fun together chatting, sharing experiences, having a cuppa and eating plenty of cakes and biscuits!

We have fun reminiscing, quizzes, exercises, games, singing and the occasional lunch.

This initiative is run by St Mary-at-Latton Church in partnership with Heart 4 Harlow, Rainbow Services and the Dementia Action Alliance. It is great to work together to meet the needs of the Harlow Community.

For more information contact Lynn Hurry revlynn@btinternet.com 01279 424005

Tess’ Memory Cafe

Tess’ memory Cafe provides an informal relaxed environment which allows people living with dementia or memory problems and their families a safe place to socialise, build support networks and make new friends.

tessdementiaclub@gmail.com, 07525719300

Dementia Carers’ Café (St Clare Hospice)

Are you Caring for someone living with Dementia?

Join us at our weekly Café for Carers and friends. Every Thursday morning at St Clare Hospice 10am – 12pm. Meet and connect with others in a safe space, relax over a cup of tea and share experiences.

Action for Family Carers, Activity Groups

Keeping Active groups help people to engage in a wide range of physical activities while having fun and socialising. This includes seated exercise, indoor bowling, music and dance and a range of team games. 10am to 12pm each Wednesday at St Andrew’s Church, Harlow.

Active Minds groups help people to engage in a range of activities including musical bingo, reminiscence discussions, puzzles and quizzes as well as arts and crafts. 1pm to 3.30pm each Wednesday at St Andrew’s Church, Harlow.

All Sorts Dementia Group

All Sorts is a not for profit Dementia service based in East Herts. We can provide Carers Break, Companionship Services at home, Care Home Services and Social Groups.

All Sorts runs fun & relaxed groups located in Ware, Sawbridgeworth & Essendon for people with mild to moderate Dementia who want to socialise in an understanding environment whilst loved ones gain much needed breaks from their caring roles.

THE FIRST SESSION IS ABSOLUTELY FREE, (After the First Session the group cost is £35 per day).

The closest group to Harlow meets in Sawbridegworth Cricket Club, 10am to 2.30pm on Mondays and Thursdays.

Visit the website for more information.

Singing for the Brain

Starts with a coffee or tea, time to socialise or connect with other people living with Dementia and their support or carers, to ask any questions.

There is then an hour’s session of singing, with a warmup and ranges of songs through the era’s. Martyn is a very accomplished musician, leading with playing a guitar. There are several volunteers within the group and if any one is nervous or needs support with coming to group for the first time, there are always helpful people to hand.

Every other Tuesday, 10.30am to 12pm at The Moot House, The Stow, Harlow, CM20 3AG

Click here for more details

Essex Libraries Dementia Support Stand

A drop-in session for information and advice for anyone affected by dementia. On the third Tuesday of each month, 11am to 2pm in Harlow Library, Cross Street, Harlow (Google Maps). Contact 0345 603 7628 for more information.

There is not need to book for a session, just drop in.

Resources

Playlist for Life Help Point

Rainbow Services is a Playlist for Life Help Point.

Playlist for Life is a music and dementia charity. Over two decades of scientific research has shown that listening to a personal playlist can improve the lives of those living with dementia. In fact, listening to music that is personally meaningful has many psychological benefits, meaning anyone can benefit from a playlist.

To see the remarkable difference music can make to those with advanced dementia take a look at this trailer.

To find out more please use the download links below.


Get Started leaflet PDF Discover the benefits of personal playlists and how to connect through music.	Conversation starters PDF (interactive digital version) Prompts to start building your personal playlist	Soundtrack of your life booklet PDF (interactive digital version) The perfect tool to get started with a playlist	Personalised music journal PDF (interactive digital version) With lots of space to write down your tunes and memories

100 Years Book The top UK songs from 1915–2015	Our Spotify playlists Our library of playlists by genre, decade, location, hobbies, etc.	BBC Music Memories Find music, TV & radio theme tunes	Playlists for Life Alexa Report for Music Labs

This Is Me

When someone with Dementia is going into hospital, or a new Care Home, or even just has a new Carer beginning to visit, this easy to complete leaflet can make the world of difference.

The information you give about your loved one will help staff to make a better connection with them, which will bring reassurance in the midst of what can be a stressful time.

You don’t need to wait for the situation to arise, it can be a fun thing to do together now and can then be ready should the need arise.

The Herbert Protocol

The Herbert Protocol is a form that carers, family or friends of a vulnerable person, or the person themselves can fill in.

It contains a list of information to help the police if the person goes missing, including:

- - medication required
  - mobile numbers
  - places previously located
  - a recent photograph

For more information click here.

To download the form click here.

Making Your Garden Dementia Friendly

There are now many studies that demonstrate how being outside can improve wellbeing for people living with dementia. Access to fresh air, sunshine and natural light are important for wellbeing as well as helping to maintain our body clocks and vitamin D levels. Click below to find our more…

Namaste Care

Namaste Care is a loving approach to caring for people, especially those with advanced dementia. It is offered in a variety of setting in many countries and provides quality of life until the end of life.

Seeing is believing Namaste film short version (4 Mins)

Seeing is believing Namaste film long version (23Mins)