Burley in Wharfedale Dementia Action Group
Minutes of meeting held on 24 October 2019
Present: Quentin, Eileen, Susan, Sue, Vernon, Lisa, Mary
Apologies: Niccola, Paula, Dale, Val, Norah
1. Minutes of last meeting – accepted as a correct record.
2. Matters arising
a) Update on Action Plan for BDAG – see Action Plan webpage.
b) Space, Fitness and Wellbeing initiative – Susan has emailed Becky Berry and is awaiting a reply.
c) SPECAL practitioner – Karen Thornton is unable to attend to talk about her work until the new year.
3. Reports of Events and visits since last meeting
a) The Memory Tree
i) Review from recent sessions
Sue said that it would be useful for carers to know beforehand what the theme for the session was.
Burley Good Neighbours have been approached to see if they would consider offering lifts to the Memory Tree. They will consider this at their November meeting.
Sunflower lanyards can be worn by people with hidden disabilities such as dementia. Susan will obtain some.
ii) Invitations to attend the Carers’ sessions
The local Side by Side group is no longer running and Kate Woodfield is leaving. Support is continuing for existing clients.
Ilkley Good Neighbours have a befriending service but there are currently five people on the waiting list. Susan has spoken to Joanna Gramshaw, the co-ordinator who strongly recommends that people apply when in the early stages of dementia, then support is more likely to carry on when the disease progresses. If support is not asked for until the later stages, they are unlikely to be able to allocate a volunteer with relevant training and experience.
iii) Memory Bags
It was thought that boxes might be better. Norah is to follow up with Elizabeth re. the contents in her memory bags.
iv) Pet Therapy
Susan is awaiting a reply from Alastair Kirk about pet ponies.
Niccola has found that the cost of a robotic cat is between £54 and £105. She suggested that it would be useful to try and get some information on practical issues from any dementia information sources as to whether it is worth it or which model to acquire. Niccola to investigate further.
v) Burley Nursery School - 7 November 2019
They will do a craft activity and sing some autumn songs.
vi) Christmas preparations
Norah is leading on this. Susan has contacted Tom Clegg to ask if he would bring some Ukulele players and some singers. She is waiting for a reply.
vii) Monitoring key information for Carers
Quentin will co-ordinate with Niccola and Janet to work out how best to monitor what information we have and how best to ensure that the carers have access to this. Lisa and Susan to meet to discuss cataloguing our resources.
4. Reports of events and visits since last meeting.
a) Burley Pharmacy
Val has met with the manager who said there have been lots of staff changes and he doesn’t think there are now any staff who have attended an information session. He said it should settle down in a few months’ time and Val is hoping to do a DF session then. It was a felt that it was important that the Pharmacy be encouraged to become dementia friendly and support BDAG.
b) Dementia Champion Induction
Norah attended the training on 10 October and is now a Champion. Congratulations to Norah.
c) ILF event with Wendy Mitchell and Nicci Gerrard
Susan and Norah went and reported that Wendy was very pleased to see them.
d) Burley Community Leaders meeting – 14 October 2019
Susan attended. This is a new initiative with the focus on wellbeing in Burley. It is chaired by Tim Perkins the Methodist minister. Dr Rayment confirmed that the new social prescriber, Sue Moorchild, will be starting shortly. 20+ people attended.
e) DF Communities Cluster meeting – 15 October 2019
Ruth Hawke, the new DF Communities officer for Yorkshire and Humberside attended. The main focus is to progress the recognition process for businesses.
5. Forthcoming events and dates
a) DF Information sessions
Burley Oaks would like another session for Year 6 children in May. Val is aware that Cathy Isaac wants to book this in the diary before she goes on mat leave at Christmas.
Burley & Woodhead school - Val has contacted them and is awaiting a reply.
Library volunteers: 6 would like the training.
Parish Council: Lisa has asked for an electronic copy of the training to be sent to her and Bob F so the Parish Council can be persuaded to allocate enough time for the training. Val to send.
To consider - Ghyll Royd School, Library, Scouts & Guides, DofE, YouthQuake. Val and Norah.
Ruth Owen, Full Circle Funerals was invited to the WI for what she thought was a talk and ended up doing a DF session.
b) Jigsaw Festival – Christchurch, Ilkley – Thursday 31 October 2019 – Sat 2 Nov, 10.00–4.00pm
c) Addingham Memory Café Community Pop Up Event – Wednesday 27 November 2019, 2-4pm
Janet is to go and give a talk about our work with carers.
d) Ladies Please Christmas Concert – Friday 13 December 2019, 7.00 – 9.00pm, Burley Methodist Church.
The poster is done and Susan will bring it to the next MT. We will do a small raffle - Niccola? We are also to provide refreshments of a cold drink and mince pies – volunteers are needed for this. Susan will email the Memory Tree volunteers. Tickets are still needed to be printed - Susan.
e) The Wind in the Willows, Ilkley Playhouse – Saturday 14 December 2019, 2.30pm
f) Wizard of Oz, Leeds Playhouse - Tuesday 14 January 2020 – Val to confirm arrangements for tea, then the cost per person will be determined. The coach is booked and the deposit is paid.
g) Annual coffee morning – this will be on 8 August 2020
6. Treasurer’s Report.
As at the end of September we had £7,654 in the bank. The August coffee morning total was £527. Nothing else out of the ordinary has occurred beyond a very kind donation from the Slights recognising the recent help they have received. The accounts are written up to date although not reconciled, and there is still a little banking to do. Susan is owed some expenses. Susan to provide Niccola with receipts.
7. Building Dementia Friendly Communities
Update on engaging businesses – when the business pack is ready a mail shot will be sent to each business asking if they would like some training and to do an Action Plan. Mary has offered to help with this, but we need some more volunteers as it is a big job.
Update on painting steps – Val has emailed the churches for their permission. This is also a big task.
To consider a “sitting circle” – postponed until Niccola is at a meeting. It was noted that there are some practical considerations e.g. safeguarding, insurance etc.
8. Correspondence and publicity
a) Banner/T shirts – Norah is working on these
b) BDAG website updating – Lisa is updating this
c) Display boards – ongoing. Home Instead have donated some leaflet holders.
9. Any Other Business
Susan has booked the Parish Centre for 2020 BDAG and Memory Tree meetings.
10. Date of next meeting: Thursday 28 November 2019 at 2pm at the Parish Centre.
Minutes of meeting held on 24 October 2019
Present: Quentin, Eileen, Susan, Sue, Vernon, Lisa, Mary
Apologies: Niccola, Paula, Dale, Val, Norah
1. Minutes of last meeting – accepted as a correct record.
2. Matters arising
a) Update on Action Plan for BDAG – see Action Plan webpage.
b) Space, Fitness and Wellbeing initiative – Susan has emailed Becky Berry and is awaiting a reply.
c) SPECAL practitioner – Karen Thornton is unable to attend to talk about her work until the new year.
3. Reports of Events and visits since last meeting
a) The Memory Tree
i) Review from recent sessions
Sue said that it would be useful for carers to know beforehand what the theme for the session was.
Burley Good Neighbours have been approached to see if they would consider offering lifts to the Memory Tree. They will consider this at their November meeting.
Sunflower lanyards can be worn by people with hidden disabilities such as dementia. Susan will obtain some.
ii) Invitations to attend the Carers’ sessions
The local Side by Side group is no longer running and Kate Woodfield is leaving. Support is continuing for existing clients.
Ilkley Good Neighbours have a befriending service but there are currently five people on the waiting list. Susan has spoken to Joanna Gramshaw, the co-ordinator who strongly recommends that people apply when in the early stages of dementia, then support is more likely to carry on when the disease progresses. If support is not asked for until the later stages, they are unlikely to be able to allocate a volunteer with relevant training and experience.
iii) Memory Bags
It was thought that boxes might be better. Norah is to follow up with Elizabeth re. the contents in her memory bags.
iv) Pet Therapy
Susan is awaiting a reply from Alastair Kirk about pet ponies.
Niccola has found that the cost of a robotic cat is between £54 and £105. She suggested that it would be useful to try and get some information on practical issues from any dementia information sources as to whether it is worth it or which model to acquire. Niccola to investigate further.
v) Burley Nursery School - 7 November 2019
They will do a craft activity and sing some autumn songs.
vi) Christmas preparations
Norah is leading on this. Susan has contacted Tom Clegg to ask if he would bring some Ukulele players and some singers. She is waiting for a reply.
vii) Monitoring key information for Carers
Quentin will co-ordinate with Niccola and Janet to work out how best to monitor what information we have and how best to ensure that the carers have access to this. Lisa and Susan to meet to discuss cataloguing our resources.
4. Reports of events and visits since last meeting.
a) Burley Pharmacy
Val has met with the manager who said there have been lots of staff changes and he doesn’t think there are now any staff who have attended an information session. He said it should settle down in a few months’ time and Val is hoping to do a DF session then. It was a felt that it was important that the Pharmacy be encouraged to become dementia friendly and support BDAG.
b) Dementia Champion Induction
Norah attended the training on 10 October and is now a Champion. Congratulations to Norah.
c) ILF event with Wendy Mitchell and Nicci Gerrard
Susan and Norah went and reported that Wendy was very pleased to see them.
d) Burley Community Leaders meeting – 14 October 2019
Susan attended. This is a new initiative with the focus on wellbeing in Burley. It is chaired by Tim Perkins the Methodist minister. Dr Rayment confirmed that the new social prescriber, Sue Moorchild, will be starting shortly. 20+ people attended.
e) DF Communities Cluster meeting – 15 October 2019
Ruth Hawke, the new DF Communities officer for Yorkshire and Humberside attended. The main focus is to progress the recognition process for businesses.
5. Forthcoming events and dates
a) DF Information sessions
Burley Oaks would like another session for Year 6 children in May. Val is aware that Cathy Isaac wants to book this in the diary before she goes on mat leave at Christmas.
Burley & Woodhead school - Val has contacted them and is awaiting a reply.
Library volunteers: 6 would like the training.
Parish Council: Lisa has asked for an electronic copy of the training to be sent to her and Bob F so the Parish Council can be persuaded to allocate enough time for the training. Val to send.
To consider - Ghyll Royd School, Library, Scouts & Guides, DofE, YouthQuake. Val and Norah.
Ruth Owen, Full Circle Funerals was invited to the WI for what she thought was a talk and ended up doing a DF session.
b) Jigsaw Festival – Christchurch, Ilkley – Thursday 31 October 2019 – Sat 2 Nov, 10.00–4.00pm
c) Addingham Memory Café Community Pop Up Event – Wednesday 27 November 2019, 2-4pm
Janet is to go and give a talk about our work with carers.
d) Ladies Please Christmas Concert – Friday 13 December 2019, 7.00 – 9.00pm, Burley Methodist Church.
The poster is done and Susan will bring it to the next MT. We will do a small raffle - Niccola? We are also to provide refreshments of a cold drink and mince pies – volunteers are needed for this. Susan will email the Memory Tree volunteers. Tickets are still needed to be printed - Susan.
e) The Wind in the Willows, Ilkley Playhouse – Saturday 14 December 2019, 2.30pm
f) Wizard of Oz, Leeds Playhouse - Tuesday 14 January 2020 – Val to confirm arrangements for tea, then the cost per person will be determined. The coach is booked and the deposit is paid.
g) Annual coffee morning – this will be on 8 August 2020
6. Treasurer’s Report.
As at the end of September we had £7,654 in the bank. The August coffee morning total was £527. Nothing else out of the ordinary has occurred beyond a very kind donation from the Slights recognising the recent help they have received. The accounts are written up to date although not reconciled, and there is still a little banking to do. Susan is owed some expenses. Susan to provide Niccola with receipts.
7. Building Dementia Friendly Communities
Update on engaging businesses – when the business pack is ready a mail shot will be sent to each business asking if they would like some training and to do an Action Plan. Mary has offered to help with this, but we need some more volunteers as it is a big job.
Update on painting steps – Val has emailed the churches for their permission. This is also a big task.
To consider a “sitting circle” – postponed until Niccola is at a meeting. It was noted that there are some practical considerations e.g. safeguarding, insurance etc.
8. Correspondence and publicity
a) Banner/T shirts – Norah is working on these
b) BDAG website updating – Lisa is updating this
c) Display boards – ongoing. Home Instead have donated some leaflet holders.
9. Any Other Business
Susan has booked the Parish Centre for 2020 BDAG and Memory Tree meetings.
10. Date of next meeting: Thursday 28 November 2019 at 2pm at the Parish Centre.