Belong Spotlights Community Support for Dementia Action Week

Belong Spotlights Community Support for Dementia Action Week

Engaging with community networks, being socially active, and accessing expert guidance are the cornerstones of caring for loved ones with dementia, says Belong marks the return of Dementia Action Week encouraging the uptake of support options available to local people.

With the national campaign raising awareness condition underway, Belong is sending a message to the thousands of people caring for someone with dementia in their homes, a cohort typically comprising family, friends, and even neighbours of those in need.

Statistics reveal there are around 1.8 million people providing some form of care for people with dementia in England.¹ On average, these unpaid carers are spending about four working days a week (28.5 hours) providing essential practical and emotional support.². A staggering one third of the total are providing more than 100 care hours weekly.³

Bridget Lawler, Admiral Nurse at Belong, comments: “In our experience, there are many, many families muddling through the complexities and emotions of supporting a loved one with dementia. It can feel incredibly isolating and lonely, but our message is that you don’t have to go at it alone. Advice and guidance are out there, even when a formal diagnosis is yet to be made, so this Dementia Action Week, be sure to explore the options and get in touch.”

In recent years, the organisation has ramped up its community support, thanks to its not-for-profit status enabling its focus to be on people and their wellbeing.

Notably, its villages’ monthly B’s Cafe, a memory cafe offering complimentary coffee and conversation, provides both vital respite and social connection for carers, meanwhile loved ones can enjoy an activity offering meaningful engagement.

The sessions enable access to Belong’s Admiral Nurses, a service offered in partnership with charity, Dementia UK, which helps through advice and signposting. For example, assisting with arranging assessments with healthcare professionals, sitting in on social services meetings, or advising how to secure finance.

Carers’ loved ones are also invited to try Belong villages’ vibrant What’s On experiences programme, socialise and make new friends whilst enjoying arts and crafts, intergenerational activities or exercise classes, to live entertainment and excursions, either for free or for a small cost.

More formalised arrangements for specialist day care or home care are available under the Experience Days, and Belong at Home brands, respectively.

Bridget finishes: “It’s important to us that everyone has that support network around them – it's about caring for the carers. Even if it’s just them popping in for a brew, help is on the doorstep.”