{"id":1260,"date":"2015-01-16T16:44:06","date_gmt":"2015-01-16T16:44:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.iriss.org.uk\/keepingitpersonal\/?p=1260"},"modified":"2016-02-01T08:57:45","modified_gmt":"2016-02-01T08:57:45","slug":"outputs-from-keeping-dementia-personal-project","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.iriss.org.uk\/keepingitpersonal\/2015\/01\/16\/outputs-from-keeping-dementia-personal-project\/","title":{"rendered":"What has happened since the final workshop?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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There have been three outputs from the KiP: dementia project. Two dementia caf\u00e9s and a caf\u00e9 for carers of people who have dementia.\u00a0The project group included five people with dementia, five carers, and eight professionals with a health or social care background.<\/p>\n

Dementia caf\u00e9s<\/h2>\n

In North West Glasgow the group has set up a dementia caf\u00e9 in Drumchapel. This caf\u00e9 has run four times since October 2014 and the number of people attending has increased each time. The caf\u00e9 has dates confirmed for the next six months. The idea was developed and is being supported by a sub-group including practitioners, carers for people who have dementia and people with dementia. One carer from the North West Glasgow group explained that as a consequence of being involved in this project she \u2018can make things happen<\/em>\u2019. She has therefore been inspired to set up another dementia caf\u00e9 in Partick, where a need was also identified for this kind of support.<\/p>\n

The number of people who attend each dementia caf\u00e9 is\u00a0approximately 26.\u00a0The caf\u00e9s are run by the carers from this project. Their partners and family members who have dementia also attend. Link workers who took part in the project are introducing new people to the caf\u00e9s each month. \u00a0A carer described the welcoming atmosphere in the caf\u00e9 as like ‘getting a hug when you walk in the place’<\/em> (carer) as the atmosphere is ‘so welcoming’<\/em>, ‘friendly’<\/em> and ‘there is good banter’<\/em> (person with dementia).<\/p>\n

The carers who run the caf\u00e9s are in the process of developing the infrastructure to support their continuation. Currently, the\u00a0caf\u00e9s are being held free of charge in\u00a0COPE<\/a>\u00a0in Drumchapel and the\u00a0Annex<\/a>\u00a0in Partick. These environments have been described by the carers as ‘perfect’<\/em> and the people who run these organisation as supportive ‘can’t do enough for us’<\/em> (carer). However, the ongoing use of the COPE venue is dependent upon its funding being renewed. Having\u00a0researched locations, the carers who run these caf\u00e9s are aware of the difficulties in finding a good, affordable location suitable for people with dementia. Everyone who is involved in these caf\u00e9s hopes that COPE’s funding will be renewed to enable the continuation of this dementia caf\u00e9.<\/p>\n

At the caf\u00e9s, carers provide tea, coffee, cakes and biscuits and sometimes activities and raffles. Donations are requested to cover tea and coffee. Raffle prizes are donated by people who attend and the money raised\u00a0from the raffle is donated, for example, to Alzheimer’s Scotland<\/a>\u00a0Dementia Dog campaign<\/a>. Carers are presently seeking advice from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde about opening a bank account for the caf\u00e9s and exploring how they can be supported financially by public services. Dementia link workers employed by the NHS and Alzheimer Scotland are signposting others to\u00a0the caf\u00e9s and where appropriate, supporting people to attend. IRISS has gifted\u00a0\u00a3250 to support the expenses of each caf\u00e9.<\/p>\n

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Drumchapel Dementia cafe flyer<\/p>\n

Carers’ caf\u00e9s<\/h2>\n

One carers’ caf\u00e9 is running monthly in\u00a0COPE<\/a>, Drumchapel,\u00a0North West Glasgow.\u00a0The caf\u00e9 has been running for four months (Dec 2014 – April 2015) a small number of carers, currently around 12, attend. The group is in the process of deciding whether to grow or remain small. This will depend on the needs and preferences of group members.<\/p>\n

The caf\u00e9 is a safe space to share experiences of caring for a loved one and to support each\u00a0other. Carers described ‘feeling brighter’<\/em> just knowing there is a safe space for them to go and talk to other people ‘who know what you are going through’<\/em>. Particularly when they have a small family, possibly no children, and do not know anyone else in a similar situation. ‘It gets you out of the house<\/em>‘ and can be a space that is ‘not all about dementia’<\/em>. People talk about various topics, and there is a ‘lot of laughter’<\/em> as well as some needed and supported tears.<\/p>\n

Currently the\u00a0caf\u00e9s are being held free of charge, with an optional donation to COPE for use of the room. IRISS has gifted the carers cafe \u00a3125 \u00a0towards the use of the room until the end of 2015. At the caf\u00e9s, carers provide tea, coffee, cakes and biscuits. Staff from the local carers’ centre who took part in this project are also in contact with the carers who attend the caf\u00e9 to offer support, training and care relief when needed.<\/p>\n

\"Carers<\/a><\/p>\n

Group members Eileen and Jane<\/p>\n

Contributing to\u00a0the debate: the value of unpaid care<\/h2>\n

Some of the experiences of carers involved in the group were also captured in a short video<\/a> by facilit-e46<\/a> for the PPHW.<\/p>\n

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