Hello

In this month’s newsletter…

1. Welcome message from our CEO, Sally

2. Our August highlights

3. Sign Up For The Together Trail

4. Can You Help Us Again? How do TDS Services Help Your Relative Who Lives With Dementia

5. I’m Losing Myself in the Role of Carer

6. Dates For Your Diary

7. What we’ve been Reading, Watching and Listening to

Welcome Message from our CEO, Sally

Time for some fun!  With all the bad and sad news out there, and children with the excitement of returning to school, isn’t it time for us adults to come out and enjoy ourselves! Our walkers had a very happy day out on the Peaks recently, getting to know one another and enjoying the gorgeous scenery.  You’ll see that one of the walkers was dressed as a banana and enjoyed the joke of a passer-by, “Good job you’re wearing sun cream.  We wouldn’t want you to peel!”

I hope lots of you will come and join our Together Trail on Saturday 12 September, in Wythenshawe Park.  It will be fun for all the family – with games, hand massage, music, walking, and having rides on the trishaw.  We even have  a few fancy dress options for anyone who is fundraising for us!

If you really can’t make that then I’d recommend either the Carers’ Creative Writing Workshop on the evening of Thursday 17 September or the Music Day at the Bridgewater Hall on Monday 14 September.

Hope to see you at one of these September events!

Our August Highlights:

• East Manchester Group Trip to The Halle

  Our East Manchester Friendship and Activity Group enjoyed a lovely afternoon of live music last week, with a relaxed concert from the Hallé. They listened, sang along, and moved to the music together. It was wonderful to see everyone getting involved in their own way, enjoying live music in such a warm and welcoming setting.

• Derbyshire 3 Peaks Challenge – £7,030 Raised! 

  On 8 August, a brilliant team of TDS supporters tackled the Derbyshire 3 Peaks Challenge - a demanding 33km trek across Kinder Scout, Bleaklow and Higher Shelf Stones in the Peak District.

  It was a tough full-day challenge, but they smashed it! The team raised an incredible £7,030 for Together Dementia Support. A huge thank you to everyone who took part, fundraised and donated. Every step helps us continue supporting people living with dementia and their carers across Manchester. What a team!

•  Team Day at Co-op HQ

  Earlier last month we stepped away from the office for a brilliant Team Day at Co-op HQ in Manchester. Huge congratulations to our Dementia Support Co-ordinator, Jo, who won our Fundraising Award for taking on the Derbyshire Three Peaks Challenge, raising an amazing £1,219 for TDS and counting! At lunch, we swapped the meeting room for a guided walk around Angel Meadow, led by our Finance Officer, Rachael, who shared some of the area's history. We were also delighted to welcome some of our wonderful volunteers. We want them part of these conversations too, so we aim to involve them at every Team Day, hearing their experiences and ideas.

Sign Up for the Together Trail 2026!

The Together Trail is next week! Join us on Saturday 12th September at Wythenshawe Park for a fun sponsored walk to raise money for local people living with dementia and their carers.

Choose to walk one 2.2km lap or complete as many as you'd like at your own pace. Whether you're taking part in memory of a loved one, with family and friends, or simply to support Together Dementia Support, every step you take will make a difference.

Registration is free, and we ask everyone taking part to aim to raise £100. Raise £50, and you'll receive an official Together Trail T-shirt, and raise £100 to earn your Together Trail medal.

We'd love to see you there! To register, visit our website or contact the team for more information.

How Do TDS Services Help Your Relative Who Lives With Dementia?

Dementia pioneer Tom Kitwood identified six key needs: love, identity, occupation, attachment, inclusion, and comfort. Being pain-free, loved, and attached to caring people are basic but vital. Having enjoyable things to do gives purpose and self-esteem. Being recognised for who you are and what you've achieved matters too, as does being included in a family, friendship, or social group to ease loneliness.

At TDS, we prioritise people with a dementia diagnosis. They're citizens with a right to a good quality of life for as long as possible. When their symptoms are manageable and they're cheerful, carers cope better too, and TDS groups can offer carers valuable respite.

Manchester is currently discussing how to transform dementia services. While two former carers sit on those meetings, we feel the voice of people living with dementia needs to be heard. Our CEO Sally attends, but must avoid simply advocating for TDS. If you'd like to share how TDS or other services benefit your relative, we can pass this to the Dementia Transformation Board.

We'd also like to invite people with dementia and carers to meet the lead councillor for health & social care. Let us know if you're interested - your voice matters. Please email [email protected]

“I’m losing myself in the role of a carer”

What does it feel like to become a carer for someone you love? In our latest blog, we share the story of one woman caring for her husband, who has dementia. She talks openly about how caring has changed their relationship, the impact on her own identity and well-being, the challenges of accessing respite, and the resilience she has discovered along the way.

She also shares an important message for other carers: “Don’t give up asking for help.”

Read her story on the Together Dementia Support website and discover more about the different realities of caring for someone with dementia.

Dates for Your Diary: Upcoming TDS Events

Dementia Cafés

Our Dementia Cafés are informal monthly meet-ups for carers of people living with dementia. Come along for a cuppa, a chat and the opportunity to talk to our team for support, advice and guidance.

📍 Central Dementia Café - Special Digital Confidence Workshop
Thursday 3 September 1:30 - 3:30 pm
Bembe Cafe, Alexandra Park, Demesne Road, Manchester, M16 8PJ

📍 North Dementia Café
Thursday 10 September 11:45 am - 2 pm
Higher Blackley Community Centre, Victoria Avenue, Manchester M9 0RA

📍 South Dementia Café
Wednesday 30 September 1:30 - 3:30 pm
St Andrew’s Community Centre, Brownley Road, Wythenshawe, Manchester M22 0DW

No need to book – just drop in!

TDS Legal Clinic

Need to make or update your legal arrangements? At our Legal Clinic, you can make a free will or a heavily discounted Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA). We simply ask for a donation to Together Dementia Support in return for the friendly and accessible service.

Thursday 17 September
📍 Zion Centre, 339 Stretford Road, Hulme, Manchester M15 4ZY

Creative Writing Workshop

Come along to a creative writing workshop and enjoy the opportunity to get creative, share ideas and connect with others.

📅 Thursday 17 September 6:30 pm
📍 Amani Centre, Manchester

To book: Email Beth at [email protected]

So Many Beauties – Dementia-Friendly Music Event

Enjoy a special dementia-friendly music event at The Bridgewater Hall, with a relaxed and welcoming environment for people living with dementia and their carers.

📅 Monday 14 September 11 am - 3 pm
📍 The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester

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

TaleTrove: A Photo Magazine for Your Loved Ones

TaleTrove turns your photos into a glossy A5 magazine, delivered monthly. You can upload up to 28 photos a month to a WhatsApp group with a short caption or title for each to share current family moments, or create a personalised reminiscence magazine from old photos.

TDS members get their first two months free on a monthly plan, with a choice of A5 or A4 size. Enter code TOGETHER at sign-up.

Carents

One of our Dementia Support Co-ordinators, Jo, recommends the Carents resource support for those caring for elderly Parents

Dementia Researcher Podcast

A podcast featuring researchers, professionals, and people with lived experience discussing dementia care, research, and support. It provides accessible insights into current thinking and practical issues affecting people living with dementia and their carers.