Description
Touchstone’s BME Dementia Service offers people from BME (Black and Minority Ethnic) communities living with memory problems, dementia, or Alzheimer’s support. This is the winning initiative of 2023.
They offer specialist support that meets the language, cultural, and religious needs of people from BME communities. At the same time, they raise awareness of dementia within BME communities, breaking down barriers around it and bringing it into the open.
The Support they offer
- A weekly South Asian Dementia Café, Hamari Yaadain (Our Memories) every Thursday from 1-3pm, which are both on Zoom and in person. The cafe is for South Asian people with memory issues and their carers. They run in a mother tongue. It’s a safe space to get out and meet others, make friends and enjoy hot drinks and snacks. Transport can be requested for a minimal charge if attendees have limited mobility.
- A weekly Carers’ Walking Group every Monday 2-3.30pm meeting at the Lakeside Cafe in Roundhay Park.
- They also provide person-centred care by doing needs-based assessments on a one-to-one basis.
- They can also provide support if a person is having memory problems and is struggling to get a diagnosis.
Talks, Awareness-Raising and System Change
- They lead culturally appropriate Dementia awareness talks within community settings, like Day centres, local community groups or religious centres. They tailor talks to the needs of the group and can deliver them in English, Punjabi, Hindi or Urdu languages.
- In 2013, they founded the BME Dementia Forum. Since then, they have led a group of BME dementia workers in Leeds to improve services for people living with dementia and their carers from BME communities. To get involved in the BME Dementia forum, do get in touch with them via email.
Website
https://touchstonesupport.org.uk/community-services/bme-dementia-servic…