A CHARITY pilot project which is helping people in the community who may have dementia or memory loss has received a boost with funding from Ilkley Town Council that will help take the project through to March next year.

However, it is now looking for further funding that will enable it to consolidate the good work it has started and continue to provide a much-needed service for local people.

The Dementia Hub Drop-In, run by Ilkley and District Good Neighbours, has just completed a successful initial six-month pilot but now requires additional financial support if it is to provide an important signposting and support service to the growing number of individuals who may be sufferers.

People at the Well-Being Café People at the Well-Being Café (Image: submitted)

The idea for the pilot began during one of the charity’s regular strategic reviews where dementia was identified as a key area where help was needed. A research study was carried out examining the availability of support services in the community and potential solutions. Findings in the study indicated a clear lack of co-ordination in those local services, so the charity decided to set up the Dementia Hub pilot incorporating a Well-being Memory Café previously run by the Alzheimer’s Society.

From the outset the Dementia Hub experienced a demand for its services with almost 80 local people seeking its help in a four-month period. Some of the individuals were seen on their own, while others came with a spouse, family member or carer to the weekly drop-in session each Thursday morning in the Resource Room in Ilkley Library.

An experienced individual in dementia was essential for the pilot and the charity recruited Jenny Thornton to head up the project.

“I’m delighted to be the Dementia Advisor on this important pilot,” said Jenny. “There is an increasing demand in the area for support services, but unfortunately there is a general lack of information for those affected as well as their carers and family, along with the length of time it takes to be assessed. The Hub can make a difference by providing support, guidance, and advice to people living with memory loss or dementia, along with helping their families and those who look after them. The service is flexible and easy to use, offering a simple and direct single point of access in a local community building – the Library - without the need for appointments or referrals from statutory organisations. We can also reach people by phone and on-line with relatives who may live at a distance. And it offers evening sessions in the Library for those who find this more convenient.

“Many of us are unaware that one in three individuals living with dementia do not have a diagnosis. Looking at our region, all three Clinical Commissioning Groups in Bradford and Airedale have a higher recorded prevalence of dementia than the regional or national average. A diagnosis is vital to give people access to the care, treatment and support they desperately need, and we can help by being a co-ordinating channel pointing people in the appropriate direction.

“If you are concerned about your own or someone else’s memory, or if you are caring for someone with dementia and just need someone to talk to, we are here to offer our support."

The advice that is offered can also be practical, ranging from discussing if someone is entitled to allowances, to contacting the DVLA on their fitness to drive. One man who has just been diagnosed with Alzheimers said he “felt relief” now knowing the cause of his symptoms. Sadly, his wife was in shock and upset on hearing the news, but was offered support by Jenny on the important things that needed to be considered by them both in the immediate future.

In another case a woman who attended a drop-in was worried about her memory and wondered if she should request an assessment with her GP.

At the meeting she talked through why she had reached that decision and completed a short memory checklist learning more about the memory assessment process. She discussed and wrote down with the dementia team the key points on what she needed to say to her GP, who has now referred her to the Memory Assessment Service.

Good Neighbours Chairman Ed Duguid said: “It is heartening to see cases like this where our pilot scheme has been such a positive help.

“There is clear evidence of a need for a service such as Dementia Hub and the Memory Café to help the growing number of people who unfortunately will develop dementia and memory loss. We’ve identified this as an area where our charity can play an important role and we want the service to continue to be available in the community, but can only do this with the necessary financial support.”

Anyone wishing to help can go to their donation page: https://goodneighboursilkley.org.uk/ways-to-give/ or e-mail: team@goodneighboursilkley.org.uk or telephone 01943 609906.