The pack focuses on the concept of a ‘peer support system’ which recognises the value of social opportunities for people with dementia to meet others in the community, whether they are informal or structured opportunities, dementia specific or available to everyone to enjoy.
The pack includes example of good practice and evidence-based guidance and aims to help groups and organisations better support people with dementia.
While primarily design with the aim of improving support for people with dementia in south London, the resources and ideas included in the pack will be useful to organisations throughout the UK.
Amy Semple, who managed the project, explains: “People with dementia and their carers say that peer support groups are important as they provide opportunities to speak to other people in a similar situation and provide social interaction, which often is much needed.
“Most people, particularly those in the early stages of dementia also want to continue taking part in generic social clubs and activity groups within their communities, but for many, dementia can lead to social isolation.”
The pack includes films, case studies, policy and research related to the benefits of peer support, as well as resources on funding, staff training and evaluation of groups.
It was developed in partnership with leading dementia and older people charities, with contributions from Innovations in Dementia, the Alzheimer’s Society, AGE UK and Mental Health Foundation. The Health Innovation Network dementia team worked with people with dementia across south London to provide case studies and contribute to the films within the pack.
Alzheimer’s Society business development manager for London, Jo Vavasour, said: “We are proud to have supported the Health Innovation Network with the development of their resource pack. Peer support, such as the dementia cafés that Alzheimer’s Society run can really help improve people’s quality of life. They give people with the condition and their carers the opportunity to socialise with others in similar situations and receive vital support.”
AGE UK innovations and programmes manger, Rebecca Barnham, added: “This is a very useful resource for any organisation working with, or planning to work with people with dementia and their carers. There is a wealth of ideas and resources, which would also be applicable for organisations outside of London. Age UK will be circulating the Resource Pack to local Age UK’s to support their work.”
Download the free resource from the Health Innovation Network website.
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