Burley Dementia Action Group Minutes from meeting on 23/11/2017
Present: Quentin(chair), Susan, Niccola, Sylvia (Minutes), Mary and Rachel Winter.
Apologies Anne, Bernie, Dale and Judith
Welcome. A warm welcome was extended to Rachel Winter who spoke to the group about her role as an Admiral Nurse in the Bradford region. Admiral Nurses support people living with dementia who have a connection to the Armed Forces, including those who have carried out National Service. They offer free support for carers and family members, at home or in care homes. There is a new local team of 3, and a 24 hour telephone helpline, 0800 888 6678. Rachel is receiving referrals in Burley in Wharfedale. People can self refer by telephone. There are pop up centres in Leeds and the UK. Rachel can be contacted on [email protected]
Minutes of last meeting The amended minutes are now on the website, as is information regarding BDAG’s nomination for The Dementia Friendly Community of The Year and the service provided by the Community Matron. Matters arising: Morrison’s Christmas catalogues have been collected for the next Memory Tree session. Niccola is to follow up her link to the Dof E group regarding an information session.
There is a new manager at Burley Hall It was decided to wait a while before liaising with her and an e mail has been sent to Julie the Community Matron to visit the group during a meeting.
A potential visit to The West Yorkshire Playhouse was discussed to see a dementia friendly performance of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe with people from The Memory Tree.
The article about BDAG written by Clare College for their alumni is on the BDAG website as well as our thoughts about what has inspired us as a group to help Burley become a dementia friendly community. These thoughts were submitted to support our nomination for dementia friendly community of the year.
Bev Fletcher has mentioned in a document that there is an optical character recognition facility which helps with the transfer of typed documents.
Events and visits since last meeting.
The Memory Tree. Activities included Trafalgar Day with 6 people with memory problems attending with their carers, and 9 volunteers. Also, Remembrance Day where 5 people attended with memory problems along with their carers, and there were 6 volunteers. There has been a new enquiry.
Laminated cards are available for all next year’s sessions. A new rota is needed for after Christmas and a volunteer to help Elizabeth take photographs of attendees with contact telephone numbers.
The promotional poster is to be amended using more current wording including both memory loss and dementia. The logo will stay the same and logos of sponsors will be included.
Memory tree flyers include The Burley in Wharfedale group, but the website doesn’t.
A £50 donation has been received from Eric and Dorothy Greaves. They can no longer come to the group. A poem written by their daughter called Losing Mum was shared and read at the meeting.
Future Memory Tree plans. Janet will lead The Carer’s group. However Niccola has led the Carers very successfully and will be available to help when she can. Bob is committed to running the reminiscence activities until at least Easter, after which he is happy to come for as long as we need him. There is an emergency pack available if he is ill.
Ann Greenhough has volunteered to put together resource boxes and U3A Ilkley may be able to help at meetings in the future.
Finance. Treasurers report given later means that in the short term The Memory Tree can be financed.
Future Events.
It was suggested that a coffee morning be planned for 2018 to help raise funds for BDAG, possibly during the summer festival week. No information sessions are currently planned.
Implementation of action plan.
BDAG action plan has been drafted by Niccola. At the meeting the content was agreed and praised with a few minor modifications suggested.
Niccola submitted the action plan for the library which was more or less agreed.
The future role of BDAG was discussed. The group can now award businesses the status “working to become dementia friendly”. Bev Fletcher from The Alzheimer’s society will give guidance as to how this can be done. There was uncertainty as to whether the health centre has devised an action plan to qualify for the status. Sylvia will contact the practice manager for an update.
Quentin has begun work on a review of BDAG’s first two years of activity. The content is very thorough and comprehensive. The group want more time to consider it before formal submission. It will be presented at the next AGM. Please send final comments to Quentin by January 11th 2018.
Treasure’s report.
There is £4,376 in the BDAG bank account, ensuring continuity for The Memory Tree in the near future.
Correspondence and publicity.
Niccola and Susan continue to do an excellent job.
On behalf of Burley theatre Group, Roger Charnley has offered a free half- page advert in The Wizard of Oz programme. It was agreed to use this to promote the work of BDAG and hopefully attract more volunteers.
Any other business. None
Next Meeting. Thursday January 25th. 2pm, Parish Centre.
Apologies. Susan and Sylvia.