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- TDS Newsletter January 2024
Hello
In January’s issue:
Table of Contents
Hello everyone!
So, it’s a NEW year! Sometimes I think we have to tell ourselves that it’s new, with new opportunities and possibilities, even through we’re dragging the baggage of 2023 with us. Even if I decide on just one change that I’m going to make or one nice thing I’m determined to do this year, it’s better than making no change at all.
I’ve read that if you tell someone what your new change is, you’re more likely to make it happen. So if you are planning to make a change this year, tell someone about your thing! Perhaps they will help you make it happen.
As a TDS team we’ve been collating the feedback you gave us in December 2023. Thanks so much for taking the time to do that. 98% of you rated the service you have received from TDS as either 4 or 5 out of 5.
Here are the things you said you needed the most help with, and what we are giong to do to support you with this in 2024:
You said…
Navigating services is difficult, particularly finding the right residential care for your cared-for person
What we’ll do…
There will be a focus on this aspect in our Carer Training course, and we will address these issues at our Dementia Cafés and other carer peer support sessions during the year.
We will also put together a resource called ‘The Dementia Directory’ to help with navigating services in Manchester as part of our work with the Dementia Alliance.
You need more knowledge and support around how to deal with confusing behaviour
Anna, our Carer Support Co-ordinator, and Claire, our Service Delivery Manager, will be delivering training on this subject in February.
Carers need more respite
We can tell you that respite is a priority of the council’s Carer Strategy this year, so we hope there will be some good news in the first quarter.
TDS and the Dementia Changemakers are bringing the needs of carers to the forefront of the Dementia Alliance.
We are also piloting a template for longer sessions. Our Pyaari Yaadein Thursday group will be running for longer as a test to see how it will work for us, our members, our carers and our volunteers
We also had a lovely bit of a feedback from one of our members living with dementia. About the difference that attending the Friendship & Activity Group makes, Irene cheerfully said:
“All of the difference. I didn’t know I was ill until I started coming to this group and met people like me. I knew that I was different and I was getting more different. Then I started coming to this group and I understood that there is nothing wrong with me, I am just ill. We are all ill and we are all poorly together!”
We finished 2023 on a high with a wonderful concert at Manchester Cathedral. After deducting the expenses we had, we still raised over £5,000! We’re very grateful to staff, volunteers, our two wonderful choirs, and everyone who came to listen and join in.
You’ve helped us raise the funding for a new minibus which will be delivered before the end of the month. Something to look forward to!
If you can, do try to come out for just one thing this month - a massage, a nice evening meal, or the concert at the Bridgewater Hall. And if you can’t get out, give your staff member a ring and ask if she will come and visit you at home to see how you are.
Sally
It’s our 10th birthday this year!
2024 marks 10 years since Together Dementia Support first came into being, and our decade year looks like it’s going to be one of our biggest and busiest yet! To celebrate this milestone, we’ll be doing all sorts of fun and fundraising throughout the the year.
If you would like to help us celebrate, we are looking for Event Volunteers who can turn up to events and help on the day. This can include everything from welcoming guests, serving drinks, selling merchandise, photography or helping our people with dementia have a good time.
If you’d be interested in joining our team of Event Volunteers, we’ll soon be sending out the list of events you can put your name down for. Keep an eye on your TDS Newsletters as you’ll hear it there first!
What’s on for carers at TDS
We’ve got a packed schedule for the months ahead with lots on for carers with both ourselves and our partners, Carers Manchester.
January 2024
Oaklands Dementia Café
Wednesday 17 January
1.30-3.30
Booking not required
Free Moving & Handling of a Person Training
Thursday 18 January
9.30-11.30am, Kath Locke Centre
Booking essential. Contact Anna for more information or to book your place.
Massages for Carers at Kath Locke Centre
Tuesday 23 January 2023Appointments available 5.30 - 7pm
Booking essential. Contact Anna to book.
Massages at KLC cost £8 for 30 minutes
Bridgewater Hall Concert
Tuesday 23 January 2023
2.15pm
Booking essential. Contact Anna for more information or to book your place.
Withington & Old Moat Winter Warmer Event
Tuesday 30 January, 11am - 2pm
Ladybarn Community Hub
Click the flyer on the left to enlarge for full details.
Contact Zsuzsi for more information or to book your place on the Drum Circle
Wythenshawe Dementia Café
Wednesday 31 January, 1.30 - 3.30pm
St Andrew’s Methodist Church
Booking essential. Contact Anna for more information or to book your place.
New Vacancies at Together Dementia Support
📛Dementia Support Co-ordinator(s)
📜Permanent
💷£25,994 starting salary
🕛Full time and part time
📅Closing date Friday 2 February
💬Interviews Friday 9 February
We are looking for skilled, energetic, creative and caring Dementia Support Co-ordinators to run Friendship & Activity Groups and work with carers.
📛Freelance Fundraiser
📜 16 week contract, 1 day per week🕛 Temporary, Feb - May💷 £2,500 contract total
📅 Closes Tuesday 30 January 2024
Together Dementia Support wishes to contract a suitably experienced Freelance Fundraiser for short-term cover from February until the end of May 2024.
We’re looking for a new Trustee!
📛Trustee Member of the Board
📜 4-6 meetings per year minimum commitment💷 Voluntary
📅 Closes Friday 16 February 2024
Together Dementia Support currently has an active Board of Trustees, and we are seeking to add to the range of skills and diversity of our Board members.
Our Trustees are experienced, caring people who want to have an impact in their local community, develop their leadership and strategy skills, and drive Together Dementia Support with ambition.
If you would like to get involved, fill in the application form or get in touch for more information.
Applications must be received no later than 5pm, Friday 16 February 2024.
The TDS Legal Clinic is
open for bookings
Exciting news from Together Dementia Support
We're thrilled to announce the launch of our TDS Legal Clinics, in a fantastic collaboration with Private Client Solicitors!
PCS is generously donating their expertise to offer FREE basic Will writing and amazing discounts on Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) for individuals and couples.
Prices start at just £250 for a single LPA and £375 for two, with a special couple's rate at £625.
If you need a Shariah compliant Will, let us know at time of booking.
This incredible opportunity isn't just for our service users; it's open to EVERYONE!
So, if you know someone who could benefit from a free Will, spread the word!
While there's no obligation, you can choose to make a suggested donation to TDS during your appointment.
The clinics are happening on the third Thursday of each month in 2024, kicking off on February 15. All sessions will be at the Kath Locke Centre, M15 5DD.
For more info, to check out clinic dates, or to book your appointment, visit our website using the link in the first comment below, or feel free to message us here on Facebook.
Let's spread the word and help as many people as we can whilst raising funds for TDS! 💚
Next Clinic Dates
Thursday 15 February 2024
10am - 5pm
Kath Locke Centre
Thursday 21 March 2024
10am - 5pm
Kath Locke Centre
Thursday 18 April 2024
10am - 5pm
Kath Locke Centre
The Great Bunny Hop is approaching!
It’s not too early to talk about Easter … is it?
Well, okay. It might be a bit early, but TDS is getting ahead of the mythical rabbit this year to organise our very own fundraising campaign with primary schools in Manchester throughout March.
If you know someone who goes to primary school in Manchester - or works in a primary school in Manchester - please ask them to check their e-mail inbox or visit our website to learn more about The Great Bunny Hop.
The Great Bunny Hop is a sponsored event, where schools register with us and we provide a set of bunny ears for each child taking part. They choose how and when they want to do their Bunny Hop (it could be during break time, or as part of PE). The children then raise sponsorship for their run, jog, hop, walk or roll around the playground on the school’s chosen date.
We have contacted all the primary schools in Manchester via e-mail or letter, but if you know someone connected to a primary school who would be able to give them a nudge, please do help bring this to their attention!
The webiste you need to share is www.togetherdementiasupport.org/hop, or click the button below to learn more.
Join the Together in Song Dementia Choir
We're thrilled to invite you to be part of our Together in Song Dementia Choir! Next Meeting: Saturday, 3 February
Time: 2 – 3.30pm
Location:
Whalley Range Methodist Church
51 Withington RdManchester M16 7EX
At Together Dementia Support, we believe in the power of music to uplift spirits and improve wellbeing. Our choir meets on the 1st Saturday of each month, and our next meeting is fast approaching! Anyone is welcome to join us and our wonderful members living with dementia, carers, volunteers and staff for a choral singalong like no other!
What to expect
Singing uplifting popular tunes, including some gospel favourites
Creating a joyous, relaxed atmosphere
Socialising and connecting with wonderful people
Boosing overall wellbeing through the power of music
Whether you're a seasoned singer or just love the idea of joining a welcoming community, our choir is the perfect place for you! No experience necessary - just bring your enthusiasm and a smile! If you’d like to join us, give us a ring on 0161 226 7186 or email admin@togetherdementiasupport.We can arrange lifts if we have enough notice, so let us know if you’ll struggle to get to the Whalley Range Methodist Church and we’ll try and arrange transport.
Donate to our eBay shop
Sometimes we receive Christmas gifts that are lovely but not what we want or can use. Don’t despair! At TDS we can put them to good use by selling them in our eBay shop.
It’s a win win. We make money for a good cause, someone somewhere gets a lovely item and you can rest content in the knowledge that you are helping others with your gift (and helping to save the planet too - Reduce: reuse: recycle)
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