Burley-in-Wharfedale Dementia Action Group
Minutes of meeting held on 28 February 2019
Present: John, Val, Eileen, Jenn, Quentin, Dale, Niccola, Mary
Apologies: Norah, Susan, Paula
1. Minutes of meeting 24 January 2019 – Accepted as a correct record.
2.Matters arising:
a) GDPR and photo consentIt was agreed that a slight amendment is to be made to Part 3 of our policy to reflect that we cannot assume that people have given consent. Niccola will amend the policy on the website after speaking to Susan. Susan is collating the photo consent forms.
b) Alzheimer’s Society and DF Keighley materials reviewMaria Florez has promised to get supply of Alzheimer’s Society publications for businesses/organisations to us in time for our March BDAG meeting. DF Keighley recruiting new trustees who will consider our request to share their (copyrighted) DFK Recognition Award material and get back to us shortly. Niccola has looked at the AS retail and business guides and feels that they are very useful. It is recommended that others take a look to help and inform our future work. The link is: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-involved/dementia-friendly-communities/making-organisations-dementia-friendly/businesses
c) GP action planNiccola has put the link to the GPs action plan on our website. She has also written to the practice manager and ask for a link to BDAG and the Memory Tree to be put on their website.
d) PharmacyLydia the pharmacist is leaving Cohens in March. A new pharmacist will be starting in April.
e) Driving Miss Daisy updateSusan has obtained more detail. Minimum charge is £15 for up to 3 miles, then £3.50 per mile. The providers feel the cost is justified because they are offering a complete, safe and reliable service – when picking up they will help the client to get ready, lock the house etc. and on return escort the client back into their home and make sure they are comfortable and settled. Companionship for e.g. an appointment is £12 for half an hour. Quentin said that Ride Away Taxis are very good.
3. Reports of events and visits since last meeting (a) The Memory Tree
i) Review from recent sessions: We asked those attending on 7 Feb for a view on the quizzes we normally have during the first hour – everyone agreed that this is a popular activity and should continue. John said sometimes the volunteers and carers came in too quickly with answers and felt that they should be encouraged to allow more time for those with dementia to respond. It was agreed to mention it before the start of the quizzes.John said that the session where Bob played old records was enjoyed by all. People were singing and dancing.
GP Dr Sara has referred a new couple who have welcomed the opportunity to join a support group. We have been in touch with the practice to check they have a supply of MT flyers to hand out to people affected by dementia. Susan emailed Sharon Husband (medical secretary, and our link) on 12 Feb to remind her that we are always happy to provide MT flyers, and to ask if we can support in any other way – not had a reply.
ii) Visitors to Memory Tree: Catherine Birkby from DF Bramhope will be attending on 21 March. Burley Nursery School will be attending on 4 April.
iii) Memory Bags: Susan will supply the fabric on her return. Everyone was asked to collect suitable items to put in them.
iv) Invitations to attend the Carers’ sessions: Judith Sayer is offering a taster session on Therapeutic Writing for carers. If people are interested, please arrange through Judith.Niccola has contacted Alzheimer’s Society and asked if they will send someone along. She is waiting to hear back from Carers’ Resource.
It was felt that the Carers group was successful in giving good support to carers. Val offered to give a talk on Attendance Allowance at the next Carers session.
(b)DF Keighley AGM 29 January
Susan and Bob attended on 29 Jan. A big event with presentations and information stalls. Attendees included various councillors and health professionals. Susan will share reports for information before our own AGM.
4.Forthcoming Events and dates
a) Public Meeting Sunday 19 May 2019 2pm in the Methodist ChurchSusan and Paula are progressing the organisation. Comfortable seating capacity now confirmed as 100 in the church itself. Draft promotional poster done, pending Paula looking into using Eventbrite system for bookings. A number of places would be withheld for telephone bookings. No charge for the event; donations invited. Publicity should be ready by 1 March, deadline for Parish Council Newsletter.
Note – Wendy Mitchell has been interviewed again by The Sunday Times and will feature in the magazine (probably 10 March) to coincide with the launch of the paperback edition of her book. Likely to result in publicity ++ that will generate interest in our event. Books will be on sale.
VOLUNTEERS needed to take responsibility for organising the refreshments please.
ALL PLEASE SAVE THE DATE!
b) Dementia Friends Information SessionsNiccola to follow up The Coffee Station, Paula to follow up Burley Oaks School to arrange DFI sessions. Val and Jenn would like to become Champions. Kim O’Connor, a friend of Norah’s is a Champion and Norah will check her availability.
c) Dementia Action Week 20 – 26 MayVal will check with Paula to see which evening she is available, the Wednesday or the Friday. Niccola will ask Sylvia if she is available to do a session on the Saturday.
d) BDAG AGM Thursday 23 MayThis will be part of our usual monthly meeting.
5.Burley Festival
Updates from Niccola: The theme for the Scarecrows is ‘Heroes and Villains’. It was thought that we could ask Bob if he would help make a Scarecrow at the Memory Tree. The Healthy Living event will be taking place again but is still at the planning stage.
6.Treasurer’s Report
We have £6,742 in the bank as at 31 January. In addition we have received £200 from the Over 50’s Group. Ladies Please have organised a large size cheque to present to us and hope to get the press interested. It was agreed we should invite them to present it at a Memory Tree meeting.
7.Correspondence and Publicity
a) Banner/T-shirts: Val will contact Norah to see how the T-shirts are progressing. It was suggested that the logo should be a circle with “Burley-in-Wharfedale Dementia Friends” written round the outside, with the Forget Me Not logo in the centre. We need them for 19 May
b) BDAG website: Niccola has updated but said it needs more photos on it.
c) Display Boards: Need to purchase in time for Dementia Action Week. Val to progress in time for 19 May.
8. Any Other Businessa) Spring & Port Wine at Ilkley Playhouse on 16 March is a dementia friendly production.
b) Sarah Clough, Space Fitness and Wellbeing at Burley Grange is keen to do some community work and, through the Parish Centre, has an idea of offering a restorative gentle yoga class to carers. This would not be specific to dementia carers, would be free, voluntary donations invited and would be available upon recommendation so that the offer isn’t abused by people not in this position. She might also be able to send a massage therapist over from time to time to offer a neck and shoulder treatment for people with dementia as well as carers. This sounds a great idea and we should pursue it.
Date of next meeting: Thursday 28 March at 2pm at the Parish Centre.
Minutes of meeting held on 28 February 2019
Present: John, Val, Eileen, Jenn, Quentin, Dale, Niccola, Mary
Apologies: Norah, Susan, Paula
1. Minutes of meeting 24 January 2019 – Accepted as a correct record.
2.Matters arising:
a) GDPR and photo consentIt was agreed that a slight amendment is to be made to Part 3 of our policy to reflect that we cannot assume that people have given consent. Niccola will amend the policy on the website after speaking to Susan. Susan is collating the photo consent forms.
b) Alzheimer’s Society and DF Keighley materials reviewMaria Florez has promised to get supply of Alzheimer’s Society publications for businesses/organisations to us in time for our March BDAG meeting. DF Keighley recruiting new trustees who will consider our request to share their (copyrighted) DFK Recognition Award material and get back to us shortly. Niccola has looked at the AS retail and business guides and feels that they are very useful. It is recommended that others take a look to help and inform our future work. The link is: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-involved/dementia-friendly-communities/making-organisations-dementia-friendly/businesses
c) GP action planNiccola has put the link to the GPs action plan on our website. She has also written to the practice manager and ask for a link to BDAG and the Memory Tree to be put on their website.
d) PharmacyLydia the pharmacist is leaving Cohens in March. A new pharmacist will be starting in April.
e) Driving Miss Daisy updateSusan has obtained more detail. Minimum charge is £15 for up to 3 miles, then £3.50 per mile. The providers feel the cost is justified because they are offering a complete, safe and reliable service – when picking up they will help the client to get ready, lock the house etc. and on return escort the client back into their home and make sure they are comfortable and settled. Companionship for e.g. an appointment is £12 for half an hour. Quentin said that Ride Away Taxis are very good.
3. Reports of events and visits since last meeting (a) The Memory Tree
i) Review from recent sessions: We asked those attending on 7 Feb for a view on the quizzes we normally have during the first hour – everyone agreed that this is a popular activity and should continue. John said sometimes the volunteers and carers came in too quickly with answers and felt that they should be encouraged to allow more time for those with dementia to respond. It was agreed to mention it before the start of the quizzes.John said that the session where Bob played old records was enjoyed by all. People were singing and dancing.
GP Dr Sara has referred a new couple who have welcomed the opportunity to join a support group. We have been in touch with the practice to check they have a supply of MT flyers to hand out to people affected by dementia. Susan emailed Sharon Husband (medical secretary, and our link) on 12 Feb to remind her that we are always happy to provide MT flyers, and to ask if we can support in any other way – not had a reply.
ii) Visitors to Memory Tree: Catherine Birkby from DF Bramhope will be attending on 21 March. Burley Nursery School will be attending on 4 April.
iii) Memory Bags: Susan will supply the fabric on her return. Everyone was asked to collect suitable items to put in them.
iv) Invitations to attend the Carers’ sessions: Judith Sayer is offering a taster session on Therapeutic Writing for carers. If people are interested, please arrange through Judith.Niccola has contacted Alzheimer’s Society and asked if they will send someone along. She is waiting to hear back from Carers’ Resource.
It was felt that the Carers group was successful in giving good support to carers. Val offered to give a talk on Attendance Allowance at the next Carers session.
(b)DF Keighley AGM 29 January
Susan and Bob attended on 29 Jan. A big event with presentations and information stalls. Attendees included various councillors and health professionals. Susan will share reports for information before our own AGM.
4.Forthcoming Events and dates
a) Public Meeting Sunday 19 May 2019 2pm in the Methodist ChurchSusan and Paula are progressing the organisation. Comfortable seating capacity now confirmed as 100 in the church itself. Draft promotional poster done, pending Paula looking into using Eventbrite system for bookings. A number of places would be withheld for telephone bookings. No charge for the event; donations invited. Publicity should be ready by 1 March, deadline for Parish Council Newsletter.
Note – Wendy Mitchell has been interviewed again by The Sunday Times and will feature in the magazine (probably 10 March) to coincide with the launch of the paperback edition of her book. Likely to result in publicity ++ that will generate interest in our event. Books will be on sale.
VOLUNTEERS needed to take responsibility for organising the refreshments please.
ALL PLEASE SAVE THE DATE!
b) Dementia Friends Information SessionsNiccola to follow up The Coffee Station, Paula to follow up Burley Oaks School to arrange DFI sessions. Val and Jenn would like to become Champions. Kim O’Connor, a friend of Norah’s is a Champion and Norah will check her availability.
c) Dementia Action Week 20 – 26 MayVal will check with Paula to see which evening she is available, the Wednesday or the Friday. Niccola will ask Sylvia if she is available to do a session on the Saturday.
d) BDAG AGM Thursday 23 MayThis will be part of our usual monthly meeting.
5.Burley Festival
Updates from Niccola: The theme for the Scarecrows is ‘Heroes and Villains’. It was thought that we could ask Bob if he would help make a Scarecrow at the Memory Tree. The Healthy Living event will be taking place again but is still at the planning stage.
6.Treasurer’s Report
We have £6,742 in the bank as at 31 January. In addition we have received £200 from the Over 50’s Group. Ladies Please have organised a large size cheque to present to us and hope to get the press interested. It was agreed we should invite them to present it at a Memory Tree meeting.
7.Correspondence and Publicity
a) Banner/T-shirts: Val will contact Norah to see how the T-shirts are progressing. It was suggested that the logo should be a circle with “Burley-in-Wharfedale Dementia Friends” written round the outside, with the Forget Me Not logo in the centre. We need them for 19 May
b) BDAG website: Niccola has updated but said it needs more photos on it.
c) Display Boards: Need to purchase in time for Dementia Action Week. Val to progress in time for 19 May.
8. Any Other Businessa) Spring & Port Wine at Ilkley Playhouse on 16 March is a dementia friendly production.
b) Sarah Clough, Space Fitness and Wellbeing at Burley Grange is keen to do some community work and, through the Parish Centre, has an idea of offering a restorative gentle yoga class to carers. This would not be specific to dementia carers, would be free, voluntary donations invited and would be available upon recommendation so that the offer isn’t abused by people not in this position. She might also be able to send a massage therapist over from time to time to offer a neck and shoulder treatment for people with dementia as well as carers. This sounds a great idea and we should pursue it.
Date of next meeting: Thursday 28 March at 2pm at the Parish Centre.