Dementia Support Line
Setting up DEEP groups in Shropshire
Read about a way of tackling loneliness and isolation in people with dementia, by improving experiences for peer networking.
Shropshire is a very rural county. There is a rapidly ageing population and a high risk people might feel isolated and lonely. By 2032 there will be around 5,900 people over 65 and around 410 people under the age of 65 living with dementia in Shropshire.
‘DEEP’ is a network of independent peer support, social interaction and influencing groups for people in the early to middle stages of dementia.
The Purpose
DEEP groups offer a way for people to connect and maintain social interaction.
- Groups can be as simple as meeting up for a cup of tea and a chat
- usually the groups are just for people with dementia.
- Friends and family may decide to have some time for themselves.
Alzheimer's Society Dementia Voice Local Groups are time-limited in Shropshire. People with dementia often say that they gain confidence to speak up about their needs through taking part and learning more about living with dementia. They don't want to lose their confidence and peer support when their Dementia Voice Local Group comes to an end.
Preparation
George Rook facilitated DEEP groups.
George connected with Dementia Voice Local Group facilitator, David Latcham, at Alzheimer's Society, where people with dementia expressed an interest in finding out more about the DEEP Network.
What happened
George attended David's group meetings to introduce the members to the DEEP Network.
David provided support to groups who would like to do so to transition to becoming DEEP groups, for example identifying and starting to meet at a venue and setting dates for the year ahead. George facilitated the groups.
New DEEP groups were created, becoming part of the DEEP Network.
The results
More social and peer support opportunities have been created for people in the county, with varying levels of success and sustainability.
Innovations Dementia Community Interest Company made a grant to enable 10 more DEEP groups to be created in Shropshire in 2019.
- Alzheimer's Society's Shropshire team agreed to look out for people who might like to join DEEP groups.
- Plans are being developed to help recruit members from various places such as memory clinics.
What changed for people with dementia
Some groups have had more success than others.
Learning points
In this rural location many communities are very small. It can be difficult to find enough people in the earlier stages of dementia who want to take part in a group near them, and even harder to find people with dementia able and willing to facilitate the groups.
Innovations in Dementia CIC granted some money to create more groups in 2019 with a paid worker to do this with George Rook. Work is starting with some of the larger communities and it's hoped that more people will be connected through information given by Dementia Companions, Memory Clinics and other services.
Key contact to find out more
Alzheimer's Society, Shropshire. Email: [email protected]
