MAKING A DEMENTIA FRIENDLY SURREY
A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH
Funded by
and
A Dementia Friendly Surrey
 recognises and values the diversity among individuals with
dementia and their carers,
 empowers them to have a strong individual and collective
voice with which to communicate their needs and
preferences and is responsive to these,
 makes sure they are safe both inside and outside their
home, and
 promotes their inclusion in all aspects of community life.
Our thanks go to the Plymouth Dementia Action Alliance whose vision statement
we have adapted.
OUR OBJECTIVES
Deliver basic
dementia
awareness
training
Fund a range of
local projects
through an
Innovation Fund
Support
organisations to
use the national
recognition
scheme logo
Raise public
awareness
through a wideranging campaign
Recruit Dementia
Friendly Surrey
Champions
Increase the
number of peer
support groups
where there are
gaps
TRAINING
• Free of charge training - community groups,
businesses , golf clubs , garden centres and
other organisations.
• Understanding dementia - the challenges it
brings and how we can help people in our
community.
• Over 850 people and 100 organisations - Police,
banks, housing associations, District/Borough
Councils and voluntary organisations
• Three types: cascade course, short courses
(tailored) and self-study pack
INNOVATION FUND
Countywide projects
• Targeted awareness in Gypsy/Traveller
communities
• Targeted awareness for BME groups
Local projects
•
•
•
•
•
Reading group
Befriending scheme
Singing group
Intergenerational project
Peer support groups, for carers and people with
dementia
• Art activities and therapies
• Alzheimer's Cafe
• Understanding dementia installation
COMMUNITY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
Intensive campaign activity in September 2013 and 2014
New suite of publicity materials to over 2,000 venues.
Myth busting booklets to 70,000 addresses.
Engagement – stalls at 20 different conferences/events
and presentations made to 150 national, local and team
meetings
Positive media coverage - local and national
Dementia Diaries to all schools
BENEFITS
Reduced social isolation and improved wellbeing of the
person with dementia and carers.
Greater awareness - supporting increase in presentation to
primary care and diagnosis rate.
A wider range of activities and support for people with
dementia and their carers.
Benefits for the wider community of vulnerable including
older people, families with children, people with other
disabilities.
DON’T JUST TAKE IT FROM US......
“Be more aware/less prejudice.”
Surrey Sports Park
“I'd encourage others to go on this training, I can see
...it would help handle situations sensitively with
residents/customers I come into contact with”
Local authority employee
“Professional, informative and varied... we go away
feeling a little more confident in dealing with
dementia appropriately...that, surely, is the
objective!”
GP Practice Manager
CHALLENGES
Demonstrating relevance to local business and schools
Sustainability
Equity of Peer Support Groups across the county
Legacy with Champions
The Surrey landscape (geography)
Innovation fund – best laid plans
Public awareness – did it impact in a positive way?
LEGACY AND SUSTAINABILITY
Dementia Friendly Towns
• Engage shops, businesses, voluntary sector and GP
surgery staff
• Create places of safety in the town
• Delivering public awareness for residents
• Accessible public facilities, signage, toilets within
existing resources
• Promoting citizen support systems.