Professor Dawn Brooker - awarded an MBE

We have some lovely news to start the NewYear. Professor Dawn Brooker was honoured in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list with an MBE for services to those affected by dementia.  The press release in on our University website.

Dawn says

“I am so pleased to have been recognised in this way. It was totally unexpected, but I am very grateful to those who nominated me and particularly to my team at the Association for Dementia Studies who work so tirelessly to make the world a better place for those affected by dementia. Since the announcement on 31st  December, it’s been a huge roller-coaster of emotions reflecting on all of the family, friends and professional colleagues who have influenced me and supported me over the past 35 years. 2020 has been a dreadful year for people living with dementia, their families and the staff that support them which makes receiving this honour particularly poignant. All of you on this circulation list stand shoulder to shoulder with us in the work we do. Over this past year I have been blown away by the strength of the human spirit. People have refused to throw in the towel to say that personhood only matters when we happen to be infection free.  People have found ways of connecting, of working around, of keeping their spirits up and of advocating for those whose voices don’t get heard. What I can do is to listen and learn and to amplify these lessons as far and as wide as I can. The MBE gives what we are saying more amplification. Thank you “

News

Applications Open for new Meeting Centres in Worcestershire

Organisations wanting to open a Meeting Centre in Worcestershire for those living with dementia are being encouraged to make an application for funding.

For more information go to this page 

Webinars

Events 

 
UK Meeting Centres Support Programme -Training for staff/volunteers

We have now developed a 5 week fully online training programme to help staff/volunteers understand how to develop an enjoyable and flexible Meeting Centre which is key to the development of a successful Centre.

This 5-week fully online training will support you to consider the different elements that make up a Meeting Centre and explore the practicalities of implementing it. This will include looking at:

• The Meeting Centre ethos

• The Essential Features of a Meeting Centre

• The Adjusting to Change model and how this model can be used in practice to support both members with dementia and family carers

• The physical, social and psychological effect of movement on individuals, with the opportunity for staff/volunteers to start to consider how this can be incorporated into the Meeting Centres programme.

Whilst we do not expect staff/volunteers to have in-depth knowledge of dementia, we do expect that they have some understanding, we therefore request that all those attending have become  Dementia Friends see this link to access Dementia Friends

Mode of delivery: This fully online training will be delivered using the University’s online learning platform, which will include weekly scheduled online sessions where you will meet your tutor and fellow students, and independent study which you will complete independently at your own pace. Typically, you should spend approximately 4 hours each week working through this training programme. Two further online support sessions will take place at month two and five post completion of the programme.

Access Requirements: As a fully online training course you will require a reliable computer/laptop and internet access. You will require audio and video capability for the online sessions so that you can connect with your tutor and fellow students.

Target audience: This training is specifically to support frontline staff/volunteers who will have day to day responsibility of running a Meeting Centre but may also be of interest to Trustees/other supporters.

Start Dates: 2 November 2020, 1 February 2021, 3 May 2021, 2 August 2021.

Workshop Fee: The training is free. 

For further information and details of how to book: Please email meetingcentres@worc.ac.uk or tel: 01905 542531. We will then contact you to give more information and access details. 

 Meeting Centres Support Programme

• https://www.worcester.ac.uk/discover/uk-meeting-centres-support-programme.html

• https://www.worcester.ac.uk/discover/ukmcsp-what-is-a-meeting-centre.html  

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 For more information about a number of events planned for the next few months please see the Seminars and Conferences page 

Best practice in running intergenerational programmes –
Free webinar: 26th Jan 2021 - 1.30pm

Join us to learn more about different intergenerational programmes available to people living with dementia in accommodation and care settings in the UK, the successes, challenges, barriers and sustainability issues facing such programmes as well as the impact on people living with dementia and the children/students that take part (see attached flyer for more information).

Speakers:

•    Louise Goulden (Together Project founder)

•    Stephen Burke (Director, United for all Ages)

•    Mirain Llwyd Roberts (Bridging the Generations Coordinator, Gwynedd Council)

•    Keith Oliver and Jess Shaw (“Time and Place” online poetry project collaborators)

•    Sue Egersdorff (Ready Generations Founder)

•    The HDRC steering group

Website:

http://housingdementiaresearch.wordpress.com/

Follow the HDRC on Twitter

Blogs

To find out more about what we are currently involved with please read our recent posts here