Developing a Dementia Friendly Community for Rossendale
STEERING GROUP MEETING
Date Wednesday 12th November 2014
Time 11.30am – 1.00pm
Venue Rossendale Primary Health Care Centre, room 76
Attending Brian Topping
Ronnie Barker
Shelley Prophet
Andy Laverty
Barbara Ashworth
Wayne Gibson
Sgt Malcolm McBain
Helen Law
Diane Hammond
Dr Tom MacKenzie
Clare Root
Shakil Salam
Chris Durkin
John Rattigan
David Hampson
Lynne Horrocks
Chair Person
Patient Representative
Communications Team, Lancashire CSU
East Lancs CCG (minutes)
Senior Together in Rossendale /Older Peoples Champion
Lancashire County Council – Public Health
Emergency Services – Police
Legal Sector – Woodcocks Solicitors
East Lancs Memory Assessment Service
Rossendale GP – Haslingden Health Centre
Age Uk
Carers Link
Rossendale Hospice – Representative for Care Homes
Crossroads Care East Lancashire
Education – Alder Grange School
Rossendale Dementia Representative
Alzheimer’s Society
Kevin Swain
Domestic Carer Representative
Liz McInnes
Rossendale Borough Council – Health Leads
Stephen Hughes
Alzheimer’s Society
Insp. Paul Leigh
Emergency Services – Police (Rossendale)
Rebecca Kirsch
East Lancs CCG
David Gould
Chamber of Commerce
There were no guest speakers
Apologies Nusrat Rahman
In attendance
Agenda
Item
14.07
14.08
Discussion
Welcome and Introductions
Brian Topping (BT) welcomed and thanked everyone for coming to today’s meeting. Introductions
were made around the table. Apologies were received for those listed above.
Minutes and actions from the last meeting (3rd September 2014)
The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as an accurate record.
With regard to the previous meetings actions the following was noted: No comments have been received with regard to the TOR, so now considered as agreed
 Members are aware that should they be unable to attend a steering group meeting, then
they should allocate a deputy
 AL has forwarded a document to JR and discussions with the CCG are on-going
 BT is still waiting contact from Caroline Otieno
 JR feedback to the carers association is on-going.
 CD is feeding back information to the Rossendale care Home Managers on behalf of DFR
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Action points:
 BT to report back on progress re: request for Primary Care representative from Caroline Otieno to sit
on the Steering Group
14.09
Chairs update
BT ran through a summary of the meetings that he has been involved in since the last Steering
Group meeting. A summary of each is listed below:ASDA – Have expressed a commitment for DFR to display material for a full week sometime next
year, along with the use of a community room and the café, working alongside the Alzheimer’s
Society. This is to be the venue for a Radio Lancashire broadcast by Sally Naden.
TESCO’S – Also expressed an interest in the DFR project and have provided useful ideas to promote
the initiative
Greenhouse Project – This is a useful project to be aligned with strong connections to the hub
development.
EL Chamber of Commerce (Mike Damms) – BT has done a presentation to this group and received a
lot of interest from those attending which included an Architect who attended.
Legal Community meeting – BT is working with Helen Law to convene a meeting of all appropriate
legal practices from Rossendale. This is to ensure that there is a common understanding of the
initiative; how such legal support can help; and discuss any ideas how this input can be developed.
Haslingden PPG – BT presented to this group who recognised that this offered an opportunity to
work more closely with patients, GPs and other PPGs across the Valley. A representative has been
nominated to ensure this untied and integrated work is taken forward.
Millercare (Melanie Longrigg) – This organisation provides some items of mobility equipment that
might be of help to those living with dementia. They are interested in our project.
Rachel Yates (Schools etc) – Rachel has developed a dementia resource that has been used for
educating primary school children. A meeting is arranged to discuss Rachel’s input into the
Education awareness work.
Helen Thompson (Art Group for Bacup) – This person is keen to start up a dementia art group in the
valley. A meeting is arranged to discuss developing the idea at Olive House first and then to offer it
out to the community.
Michelle Pilling (Patient Rep of the CCG and Deputy Chair) – Very interested in DFR project and its
aspects of patient involvement & engagement. Michelle is willing to help and support our work with
PPGs and GPs.
Santander (Kelly Tattersall) – One of many contacts that DFR have with banks and they are all keen
to be involved in DFR. This bank is keen to work with others in the Valley and to discuss the whole
issue of dementia awareness across the NW region as well as its focus in Rossendale. (In response JR
made the point that we should be not forgetting the potential involvement of Post Offices with
whom a large proportion of elderly patients interact with.)
Chris Roberts (St Vincent’s) – This is a repair and handyman service that is available in Rossendale.
He is keen to link up with DFR and was particularly interested creating the right environment for
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those living with dementia.
Action points:
 BT to secure a meeting with the local Post Office that covers Rossendale.
14.10
Community Events update
BT updated the Steering Group on the progress and outcomes of the Community Events
programme. He outlined that fact that there had been a varied response in terms of numbers
attending the sessions (despite a vigorous advertising push) but that the success lay in the
connections that have been made through these events. There was still one event to go (Whitewell
Bottom) which was due to be held that evening.
For Rawtenstall – 27 people attended
For Bacup – 5 people attended
For Whitworth – 41 people attended Including the Mayor and Mayoress)
For Haslingden – 22 people attended
(Post note For Whitewell Bottom – 21 people attended)
Success points of the events:
 Numerous “pledge” cards were posted that are currently being analysed
 People travelled from outside Rossendale to see what we are developing through
DFR
 A discussion and action from prominent BME community people to ensure that DFR
is fully captured in those communities. Direct support from the Chair of the East
Lancashire Mosques and local business people who attended the Rawtenstall event.
 These events have been commended by Dementia Action Alliance and have inspired
other areas to do likewise
 Built on the overall response, we plan to host 5 more Community Events in 2015
Action points:
 BT to issue the results of the “pledge” card analysis from the Community Events for the next meeting
14.11
Strategy for Dementia Friendly Rossendale
BT took the group through the strategy document explaining that this document is nothing more
than a way of expressing what we will be doing. Once published, this Strategy will (in effective)
replace the Foundation Process booklet and become a public facing document.
BT displayed the key features of the strategy by way of a diagram that highlights all of the key DFR
activities, all of which feed both the developing Strategy and the Hub development. A number of
amendments were suggested / agreed to the list of actions particularly around the carers support
(respite) suggested by JR and some comments about safety raised by MMcB.
In response to the last comment, DH made reference to the document ‘’This is Me’’ and how
important such a document can be in the communication of really important information about a
person. A number of safety models were mentioned, such as the message in a bottle idea endorsed
by the Emergency Services and the personal information containers being used in the Ribble Valley.
BT agreed that this “safety” focus will be made in the next version of the strategy.
Emphasising the safety issue and not directly related to the strategy document, RB made reference
to an article in the Daily Mail that made reference to patients with dementia being restrained and
that there is an increasing need for patients, carers, care homes etc. being fully aware of their
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responsibilities.
BT also highlighted how the Action Plans would be incorporated into the document. It was
important that these plans were provided as it was a fully visible (and public) way for each
representative to demonstrate how the area they represent is supporting the community through
DFR.
A key element to the Strategy will be a Rossendale-wide Awareness campaign in all businesses;
organisations and community groups. BT admitted the enormity of the task but this was an essential
step towards a dementia friendly community.
Alongside the Strategy will be a Communications Plan to support all the activity agreed for its
delivery. BT to work with SP and the Comms and Events team.
Finally BT asked for volunteers to review (nit-pick) the strategy document.
Action points:
 BT to ensure that the references and developments for personal safety are captured in the Strategy
 All Steering Group members - Action Plans to be forwarded ASAP to inform the Strategy document
14.12
Agreeing Vision, Mission and values for Dementia Friendly Rossendale
BT emphasised the importance of having a clear direction and took the group through the paper
that had been circulated with the agenda.
After considerable discussion and with minor amendments following suggestions made the group
agreed the vision that has been described, mission statements and values for DFR going forward.
Action points:
● BT to update this part of the strategy document
14.13
Steering Group members commitments and Action Plans
By way of an introduction BT explained that the strategy, focus and delivery document that had
been circulated with the agenda was the method to be used for each member to capture and
articulate how they will achieve the aim of raising awareness and any other tangible improvements
they could make in the areas they represent.
BT linked the members commitments to the key activities listed in the strategy document.
Furthermore the strategy document should when agreed be recognised as an explanation of what
DFR is planning to do for our initiatives, whilst also listing the commitments and delivery plans of the
DFR process.
There was considerable discussion around this point interlinked with that of the Strategy and some
key points are capture as follows:

LH stressed the importance of what had been listed as all being relevant to creating a
Dementia Friendly Community and must be included in our strategy. LH made reference to
her own circumstances in that early diagnosis is so important and helpful to the person
actually living with dementia.

DH made reference to the localised Memory Assessment Service sessions that are staring at
the end of this month – 27th November onwards (Thursday) in Rawtenstall and 28th
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November onwards (Friday) in Bacup.

TMcK reported that all GP practices in the locality had made progress in closing the
dementia gap (difference between perceived number of registered patients with dementia
and those actually recorded as having dementia at GP practices).

BT explained that the education of young people is an exciting aspect of the DFR
programme. He emphasised the good work already done by David with the Rossendale
secondary schools ans with the introduction of Rachel Yates that could be extended into
Primary Schools.

Further points made were that there is potentially an imbalance between the way GP
Practices respond to dementia patients and that ideally each GP practice should identify a
GP who has a passion for dementia. The PPGs recognise their role in supporting the GPs and
reinforcing the message of community help that will be available through DFR.

BT mentioned that further work was necessary with the legal profession and thought that a
separate meeting was necessary with all interested parties. The same applies to the
Emergency Services, whereby a consistent approach can be agreed.

CD mentioned that a workshop is being held for all the care homes to attend if there are any
common messages or support for DFR that could be developed.

In addition BT made reference to a forthcoming visit to Ward C5 at the Blackburn Hospital.
This is a special ward that has been specifically designed to care for / accommodate up to 14
dementia patients. The interest was mainly about the environment changes that have been
integrated into the design.
BT went on to explain that behind all of the activities lies a considerable amount of work and focus
and that each member of the Steering Group could make a commitment to work / deliver an aspect
of the strategy.
In summary the group are pleased with the progress made so far and have agreed that BT can
update the report accordingly after consideration of the above points.
Action points:
● BT to reflect on the discussion points raised and update the strategy, focus and delivery document
14.14
Going Forward
BT took the group through a lengthy list of potential activities for 2015 (Delivery Focus for 2015)
which are included separately in the strategy document. There was broad agreement with the list
that had been prepared.
The list includes: Development of more memory choirs and cafes
 Attendance at local events across the locality
 Development of a newsletter and constant updating of the web site
 Encourage friends and champions sessions
 Surveys which are intended to assess the effectiveness of DFR whether DFR
Action points:
None
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14.15
Dates of future meetings
BT made reference to the meeting dates circulated – Venues to be confirmed:Thursday January 15th – Starting at 11.30am – Lunch provided
Wednesday March 11th – Starting at 11.30am
Tuesday May 5th – Starting at 11.30am
Wednesday September 2nd – Starting at 11.30am
Thursday November 5th – Starting at 11.30am
Action points:
None
14.16
AOB
The Dementia voice Nurse
BA circulated a booklet that describes the role of the Dementia Voice Nurse. General consensus was
that the group had not previously heard about the patient voice nurse who works from a Preston
base. Housing 21 are the organisation that has developed this service.
This service is described as a particularly unique and entirely flexible service that provides a number
of benefits to all stakeholders. It further describes the benefits to the person with Dementia,
Benefits to carers / families whilst also highlighting benefits to Commissioners and benevolent
funders together with a number of case examples. AL was asked to scan the document and make
available to this group.
A referral form is also included with the booklet. CD reported that this nurse was already scheduled
to come out to the Hospice and in her opinion is more aligned to the end of life agenda.
Rossendale Borough Council Health Lead
BA reported that Liz McInnes had won the recent by election in Heywood and Middleton and will
therefore relinquish her role on this group. She will be replaced as the Health Lead for RBC by Cllr
Helen Jackson.
East Lancashire Website
JR reminded the group that the web site was out of date. WG & BT gave an assurance that the
Rossendale aspects on the web site are in the process of being up loaded and that this was
imminent. WG &BT agreed to inform the group when the web site has been updated.
DFR Information Sheet
BT reported that the Information Sheet that is acting as a fore runner to a regular newsletter
highlighting the work of DRF has recently been updated in readiness for circulation at the
Rossendale Business Awards. AL was requested to attach a copy to these minutes.
Finally BT thanked everyone for attending and wished the group a Merry Christmas and Happy New
Year.
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Minutes approved by Brian Topping 26 11 2014
Action points:
 AL to circulate the Dementia Voice Nurse booklet to Steering Group members
DEMENTIA VOICE
DEMENTIA VOICE
THIS IS ME.pdf
NURSE SERVICE_Housing21_service
NURSE_Housing21_booklet.pdf
info.pdf


WG & BT to upload latest information to the EL website and inform the group when ready
AL to attach a copy of the updated information sheet with these minutes
DFR Information
Sheet_November 2014.pdf
Date of next meeting:
11.30pm on Thursday 15th January 2015 at (NB - Venue TBA)
Focus for next meeting



Further discussion about the Strategy
Summary of the 2014 Community Events
Further discussion about programme of activity for 2015
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Minutes approved by Brian Topping 26 11 2014