Hello

In this month’s newsletter…

1. Welcome message from our CEO, Sally

2. Our September highlights

3. What’s working for me and my husband

4. Short breaks – respite for unpaid carers

5. TDS Christmas Concert

6. Dates for your diary

7. What we’ve been reading, watching and listening to

Welcome Message from our CEO, Sally

Welcome to October!  I’m telling myself to embrace the changes that Autumn brings – the glorious colours on a sunny day, hot comfort food, and being cosy, with a good TV programme, at home. 

September was a great month for TDS folk – with positive plans for a National Care Service announced by the PM, the opening of Manchester’s Brain Health Centre, and some lovely events that many of you joined in at the Bridgewater Hall, RHS Bridgwater, the Creative Writing workshop, and the Together Trail.

We hope you’ll continue to come out and meet up with other good folk – at the Dementia Cafes, the Walk & Talk Group, The Music Cafés or the Choir. And please do read the articles below by Judith and Beth about making a plan to get a break.  It’s always good to have something to look forward to!

Our September Highlights:

TDS Trips Round Up
Our Pyaari Yaadein group joined Dementia Adventure for Green Letter Day. For many South Asian elders, cricket brings back memories of matches on the radio, playing back home, and following India or Pakistan. The group played indoor cricket, browsed memorabilia, and used Sporting Memories cards to swap stories about favourite players and matches.

Our Wythenshawe members and carers enjoyed a trip to Cleveleys, with fish and chips, cake, and some time by the seaside. It was lovely to see people living with dementia and their carers enjoying a day out together. Wythenshawe group also spent a sunny day at RHS Bridgewater Garden enjoying the gardens. A big thank you to our staff and volunteers for helping make both trips happen.

Moss Side Group attended the So Many Beauties dementia friendly friendly music festival held at the Bridgewater Hall. It was a fantastic afternoon of live music with a relaxed performance from some talented musicians followed by a little boogie with Dementia Disco and then a surprise appearance from the legendary Michael Ball.

TDS Together Trail

A huge thank you to everyone who came along, walked, fundraised, donated or volunteered. Together, we raised an amazing £4,028, including Gift Aid, at The Together Trail! It was so lovely to see people living with dementia, carers, families, friends, supporters and our wonderful volunteers all coming together at Wythenshawe Park. We had a 2.2 km loop walk around the park, messages on the memory tree, hand massages, lots of laughs (and cake!) and, most importantly, a brilliant day spent together.

What’s Working For Me And My Husband - Written by Carer, Judith

“As a carer what works for me having is a good night's sleep and since Peter was given Zopiclone, he sleeps about 10hrs a night.  I give him his meds at the same time each day and night - some I crush and  put in meals, with the agreement of the doctor, because he wouldn’t otherwise always take them.

The other thing that has helped me is having a regular sitting service for Peter.  He used to go to the TDS Wythenshawe Group but, as his dementia advanced, his behaviour became a bit unpredictable and so he had to stop going.  He also wasn’t suitable for the day centres as he wasn’t content to sit and watch what was going on.  So I asked for a review of his care package and persuaded the Social Worker that I need some breaks from caring – every week. 

 Now I have carers twice a week (from the same agency that provides his personal care) and he likes them.  They find things to do with him while I go out.  First of all I didn’t know where to go but now I have a trip out to meet up with a friend and do some shopping and I also continue to go to the TDS group – but now as a volunteer.   I enjoy my time at the Wythenshawe Tuesday group as I feel part of that community.

 I love going for a walk with Peter daily it helps us relax when we’re at home. Safety is very important in the home, I have motion lamps in bedroom so no wires. I also have spider locks on the kitchen door so he’s safe at night, if he gets up and walks around the house. Drinking tumblers are plastic so there are no breakages if they’re dropped. Keys are never left around the house; they’re always with me.  Peter's never tried to get out but better safe than sorry! Finally, I have learnt a lot from attending the Wythenshawe group and Dementia Cafes as every individual is very different with their illness.”

Short Breaks – Respite For Unpaid Carers

Manchester City Council are commissioning a time-limited pilot, where they will have an arrangement with 3 care homes across Manchester (one in north, central and south). The arrangement involves one block-booked bed in each home to be used for respite. They aim to allow unpaid carers to take meaningful breaks whilst their loved one receives care in a residential home.

We do not know which these homes will be yet. When we do we shall share with you all and support in going to view them, so you can make an informed decision about whether to ask for this service.

Residential respite is available to you all already, but is not always a quick process. You can all ask social services for your loved one to be assessed for respite, if you feel you need a longer break. If you would like some advice on accessing respite for your loved one, please do give us a ring.

TDS Christmas Concert

Save the Date: Together Dementia Support's Christmas Concert

Saturday 12 December

4 pm – 6 pm (doors open 3.15 pm)

Wilbraham St Ninian's United Reformed Church, Egerton Road South, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester M21 0XJ

 Join us for a festive afternoon of singing – including our own dementia choirs! We'll have mince pies, mulled wine, a raffle, and TDS Christmas cards to buy. The performance line-up will be announced soon.

 Tickets aren't on sale yet, but they will be soon, so pop the date in your diary!

Dates for Your Diary: Upcoming TDS Events

Dementia Cafes

Dementia Cafes are monthly informal meetings for carers of people living with dementia where they can socialise over a cup of tea. An Admiral Nurse, Dementia Support Advisor and TDS Dementia Support Co-ordinator will be present at the groups regularly to talk, listen and give advice and guidance.

Central Cafe - 1st Thursday Monthly -  Next date 1/10

Amani Centre, 144 Moss Ln E, Hulme, Manchester M16 7DG

1.30 - 3.30pm

North Cafe - 4th Thursday Monthly -  Next Date 8/10

Higher Blackley Community Centre Victoria Ave, Manchester M9 0RA

11.45 am - 2pm

South Cafe - Last Weds Monthly -  Next date 28/10

St Andrews Community Centre, Brownley Road, Wythenshawe M22 0DW

1.30 - 3.30pm

No need to book, just drop in!

Autumn Carer’s Walk

Saturday 17 October 10 - 12 noon

Heaton Park, Sheepfoot Lane Car Park M25 2SW

Email Claire to book on

[email protected]

Friends & Family of TDS Meeting Tuesday 27 October 6 - 6.45pm

Hear how volunteers, friends and family can get involved with fundraising for TDS including leafleting or even running your own community fundraising event.

Contact Imogen if you can come [email protected]

What we’ve been Reading, Watching and Listening to:

Help with household items and mobility aids

A supporter has kindly offered to donate items to support families we work with. They often have mobility aids, kettles, microwaves, toasters, and even fridges and freezers.

If there's something that would make life easier for you or the person you care for, email Christine at [email protected].

A Lead Dementia Nurse Practitioner from WTWA recommends a resource for Online training and support for adult and young dementia carers

Clearer Days is a digital delirium resource designed to help carers and community health professionals prevent and detect delirium in older adults living at home.

This is an Australian website but the information is still completely relevant to anyone in the UK.  Watch this and make a note of the delirium checklist.  Ask yourself the questions and see if your relative scores enough points to indicate that he/she has delirium.

Sally listened to the inspirational Teun Toebes, a young Dutch mental health nurse, on the radio recently, talking about the care people with dementia need.  She also recommends his book ‘Human Forever’ in which he tells of the dementia care homes he has visited across the world, those where he has seen poor practice and those where the residents are happy and energized.  You can borrow the book from TDS, if you wish.