Kirklees Together

Dementia Action Week is back in Kirklees with a range of support available for anyone affected by dementia.

Who are the organisers?

Running from 15 to 19 May the week will see events across the borough organised by the Kirklees Dementia Hub in partnership with Admiral Nurses, Dementia UK and Carers Count.  People are encouraged to come along and find out about the signs and symptoms of dementia and how to access support for a diagnosis.

What’s on?

Residents can access information and advice by attending an online event with Carers Count; community drop-in sessions at Dewsbury Library and Gwennie’s Dementia Social Group in Longwood; a coffee and cake morning at Kirkheaton Community Centre as well as hospital information stalls at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary and Dewsbury and District Hospital.

Shoppers can also visit a dementia information and advice stall at Asda, Longhill Road, Huddersfield.  All events are open to residents, carers and professionals and there is no need to book.

Event details

• Monday 15 May 10am-12pm – Side by Side group, Meltham Methodist Church
• Monday 15 May 11am-3pm – Mondays at the Museum, Ravensknowle Park, Moldgreen
• Monday 15 May 1pm-2.30pm – Heads Up Choir, The Salvation Army Church, Huddersfield
• Tuesday 16 May 1pm-2pm – Dementia lunch and learn with Carers Count
• Tuesday 16 May 1pm-3pm – Chickenley Community Hub, Chickenley Childrens Centre
• Wednesday 17 May 11am-1.30pm – Dementia information and advice stall, Asda, Longhill Road, Huddersfield
• Wednesday 17 May 10am-2.30pm – Dementia information and advice stall, Dewsbury Library
• Wednesday 17 May 11.30am-1pm – Dementia information and advice at Gwennie’s Dementia social group, Longwood Mechanics Hall, HD3 4UU
• Wednesday 17 May 2pm-3pm – Movement and Games in Chairs (MAGIC) session, Lindley Library
• Wednesday 17 May 10am-12pm – Royal Voluntary Society Cognitive Workshop/Memory Lane, Focal Centre, HD3 4BZ
• Wednesday 17 May 1pm-3pm – Royal Voluntary Society Cognitive Workshop/Memory Lane, Holmfirth Methodist Church
• Thursday 18 May 10am-3pm – Ask an Admiral Nurse stall and 1:1 clinic, Huddersfield Royal Infirmary
• Thursday 18 May 11am-1pm – Helping Hands Community Café, Thornhill Lees Community Centre
• Thursday 18 May 1pm-2.30pm – Leisure Inclusive Social Activity Services (LISAS), Birkenshaw Scout Hut
• Thursday 18 May 1pm-3pm – Chai and Chat, Greenwood Centre, Ravensthorpe
• Friday 19 May 10am-1.30pm – Dementia UK Coffee and Cake morning supported by Home from Home at Kirkheaton Community Centre
• Friday 19 May 10am-2pm – Ask an Admiral Nurse stall and 1:1 clinic, Dewsbury and District Hospital (The Ridings entrance)
• Friday 19 May 10am-11.30am – Rugby League Memories, Batley Library

Councillor Musarrat Khan, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care said:

“It is important that we continue to educate people in Kirklees about the signs and symptoms of dementia by highlighting how they can access the support they need for themselves or for a loved one.  An ageing population means residents who are diagnosed early are more likely to be able to live independently with appropriate support in place.

“Supporting Dementia Action Week also reaffirms our commitment to make Kirklees a dementia-friendly place to be.  Our collaboration with the University of Stirling’s Dementia Service Development Centre has resulted in the development of dementia design guidance that will help people to make places and services dementia-friendly and therefore more inclusive for people living with dementia.

“We have already implemented parts of this guidance and it is central in our redevelopment of dementia day care facilities at Knowl Park House in Mirfield.”

Dementia-Friendly libraries

Alongside this, Kirklees Libraries which includes 24 libraries, the Home Library Service and Kirklees Transcription Service, have all reviewed their service and pledged to create Dementia Friendly Communities in libraries.  They have been supported by Age UK in their bid to become more inclusive and have made small changes including modifying layouts and signposting, promoting books and information, reaching out to local groups and ensuring staff and volunteers are Dementia Friends.