News from our partners: Dementia Link Workers join up across county

News from our partners NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin 

As part of the Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Dementia Vision, Dementia Link Workers, hosted by the Alzheimer’s Society, have been introduced across the county, and are now working alongside Admiral Nurses and the Dementia Assessment and Support Service to assist people living with dementia, to stay connected with their communities.

To achieve this, they help to co-ordinate peer support groups, create opportunities to meet other people living with dementia, connect an individual to local services for practical and emotional support and help them locate and access community facilities and events.

Nine workers have formed the new team that will serve the people of Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin. One of the Dementia Link Workers, David Latcham, offered an insight into his role:-

“Our role in the community means we will be able to support people to connect with the groups, services and activities that people with dementia will benefit from and enjoy.

“We know that maintaining activity is a really important part of helping someone live with dementia, so supporting people to do the things that they most want to do is an important aspect of this. We want to be able to grow a wider range of groups that are dementia friendly and accessible, and particularly opportunities for peer support.”

Dementia Link Workers are also working closely with organisations and GP practices to help them become ‘dementia friendly’, enabling people living with dementia to reconnect with their community and carry on living life as they choose.