Service Manager Update – April 2022

Hello everyone. My name is Ayesha and I’m the new Service Manager at Darnall Dementia Group.

Here are a few updates for our members, carers and friends. 

Changes to how the service is accessed and funded 

Darnall Dementia Group is pleased to announce that we recently succeeded in securing a new contract from Sheffield City Council. The contract runs from February 2022 for 5 years and is our primary source of funding. The new contract brings some changes and from now on any referrals for Sheffield residents need to come through the Sheffield City Council care and support assessment process.  Further details can be found here

The way we are funded has also changed under the new contract and our members pay the council directly for our service. How much members pay for the service depends on their financial circumstances as assessed by the council. More information can be found here

We are still accepting private referrals from non-Sheffield residents.

If you are thinking of making a referral/applying to our service and would like to know more about us – please contact us for an informal chat. 

Neighbourhood Dementia Partnership 

At the next meeting on Thursday 28th April 12.30pm, Wendy Mitchell, author of ‘Somebody I used to know’ and ‘What I wish people knew about Dementia’ will be joining to talk about her experiences of living with early onset Dementia. She will be sharing how her experiences have changed over time and will also talk about her engagement with health care professionals and how these relationships can be improved. Visitors are very welcome at this meeting – if you would like to come along please email darnalldementia@yahoo.com and we will forward the Zoom log in details. 

Sheffield Dementia Advice Service 

The Sheffield Dementia Advice Service has now expanded its remit to provide advice to the public as well as professionals. More information can be found here at the Age UK website: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/sheffield/our-services/dementia-advice-sheffield/ 

You can contact the advice line by phone: (0114) 250 2875 or by email: dementiaadvice@ageuksheffield.org.uk 

Carers meetings 

Darnall Dementia Group currently hosts two Carer’s groups. A weekly online group facilitated by Bev and a monthly face-to-face carers group facilitated by Ayesha. These groups are open to DDG member carers past and present. Please contact us if you’d like to learn more. 

Dying matters week 

Next week (Monday 2 to Friday 6 May) is Dying Matters Awareness week. The aim is to help people to talk about dying and grief, and plan for the end of life. 

There are lots of useful resources on the Dying Matters website https://www.hospiceuk.org/our-campaigns/dying-matters including this guide to “Talking about dying with people affected by dementia”  

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