Hello reader

In Augusts issue

• Welcome Message from Sally

• A Call To Action

• Dementia Friendly Environments – Beth

• Moving Your Relative Into A Care Home: My Story - …

• Join us! Carer & Members Trip To Tatton Park

• Carers Spa Afternoon: Book your spot

• Save the Date: The Together Trail

• Together Dementia Support Legal Clinic

• Radio fame for Amy & Allan

• Recent Group Trips

Welcome Message from Sally

Laura has invaluable lived experience as her Mum has had dementia for a number of years.  Dan is well-known to those of you at the Wythenshawe F&A Group as he has been Lead Volunteer there.  He’s excited to step into a staff role and has lots of ideas and energy to bring to our services for our members with dementia.

We’ve been fortunate to receive some small grants, specifically to provide breaks for carers. So, during the last week of August, we’ll be offering FREE spa sessions for carers and a FREE minibus trip to Tatton Park, for carers who’d like a trip with their loved one.  The Pyaari Yaadein group have decided that they want to go to Blackpool in the minibuses so those carers will have a free trip there earlier in August.

We really hope the sun shines on you all!

 We’ve got lots of planning to do for September as we’ll be running Carer Training sessions, starting a new monthly Dementia Café for central Manchester, starting a Music Café in Chorlton, and running a Volunteers’ Social.

Our staff are looking forward to moving back to a new office space in the Kath Locke Centre so we should be able to restart the evening massage sessions and even meet up with you in the fancy new Café that will open here on 6 September!

 We really want this newsletter to include your stories and advice.  You’ll see a great article written by carer, Alex Garcia.  If  YOU can put pen to paper and send us an article, we’ll give you a £10 supermarket voucher as a “thankyou”.

 That’s all from me for now.  I’ve got a house move and family wedding to get ready for in the next 2 weeks!

Sally, CEO

A Call To Action

You gave us lots of feedback in our Annual Survey in January. Not surprisingly, you would like more of all services – and more of services from other providers. 

It remains as difficult as ever for us to grow our services because there is no additional money out there. So we need to think of any ways that we can help to meet your needs and aspirations differently.

We think that the Carers WhatsApp group is a fabulous success – partly because of our star volunteer, Margaret Booth, who is attentive and always willing to answer your queries, but also because YOU all have a wealth of knowledge that you generously share. And the Carers WhatsApp group costs very little to run - mostly just staff time as we keep an eye on it and take some queries offline, following up with a phone call to a carer in need.

We’d like to talk to your more about your feedback and explore ideas you have about meeting the increasing need with our budget.

Dementia Friendly Environments – Beth

Last week I attended a webinar on dementia friendly spaces, here are some of their top tips:

1. Busy patterns on carpets and wallpapers can often look like they’re moving.

2.  Black mats or rugs can look like holes in the floor.

3. Shiny flooring can look wet and slippery.

4.  Mirrors can sometimes be unnerving as the person may not be able to recognise themselves anymore.

5. Where possible, try not to move things around too much in the home so that it remains familiar.

6. Natural light can help regulate circadian rhythms (our inbuilt body clock that makes us alert, awake and sleepy). Ensure that curtains are open and lights switched on.

7. Use contrasting colours to help people pick out objects. For example, doors should be different colour to the walls, otherwise people can’t always tell where the door is. The same can help with contrasting coloured toilet seats.

8. Have large faced clocks and calendars to help orientate people.

These things can all help to ease anxiety for people living with dementia.

Volunteers Needed: Do You Know Anyone?

Mary, our Volunteer Co-ordinator, is on a mission to recruit more Manchester residents as volunteers. We are fortunate to attract a lot of young people from sixth form colleges, who benefit from the work experience of volunteering with us, but we are keen to attract more people who can volunteer for longer, and who are available during the Summer months.

So, do you have any friends, neighbours, or part-time work colleagues who could spare 3 hours per week to be part of our volunteering community?

Perhaps you could send them this link to our Volunteering Film. It shows the many benefits that different people gain from volunteering – improved wellbeing, sense of purpose, confidence, work skills, joy!

We would love to hear from anyone who would consider the following roles:

• Friendship & Activity Group Volunteer

• Volunteer Driver (own vehicle)

• Minibus Escort Volunteer

• Together At Home Volunteer

• Music Café Volunteer

• Event/fundraising Volunteer

• Marketing/comms Volunteer

We’ve got a fun volunteers’ social planned for September - if anyone applies before then, that would be a great opportunity to meet some existing volunteers, the TDS team and to find out more. You can pass on Mary’s contact details, or apply online via our website:

📧 [email protected]
📞 0161 226 7186

Moving Your Relative Into A Care Home: My Story - Alex Garcia

My dad was diagnosed in 2023. I suspect the symptoms began during the COVID lockdown, likely due to isolation and living in a small flat. Before this, my dad was full of life—he enjoyed dancing and socialising—but COVID brought all of that to a halt. The isolation and social distancing measures led to him becoming depressed and anxious.

Once restrictions lifted, I worked with Together dementia and social services to arrange day clubs tailored to support his social life and manage the progression of his condition. This made a huge difference to his mood, and even now, it’s something he talks about fondly.

Unfortunately, because of his vulnerability, his safety became a bigger concern. He needed more stimulation and supervision around the clock, not just for a few hours a day. His wandering worsened, and his search for company led to long walks where he sometimes got lost or encountered unsavoury characters. This caused a lot of stress for our family. I constantly monitored him through cameras in his home and called him frequently to make sure he didn’t miss the bus to the day club or his carers. I also used a tracker to keep tabs on his whereabouts.

It became overwhelming, especially as these wandering episodes started happening at night. He was no longer able to find his way back to his flat. Despite putting a photo of him on the door, he would get lost and had to rely on neighbours for help—especially challenging because I live over 30 miles away and couldn't assist only through the camera or ring door bell. I was deeply worried about both his safety and mental health, as the day clubs no longer provided enough stimulation for his needs.

After careful consideration, we decided to move Dad into a care home for these reasons. At first, it was nerve-wracking to find the right home. I researched reviews, made sure there were gardens since Dad loves the outdoors, and ensured there were consistent activities to help him thrive. We finally found a suitable place.

The adjustment period was tough—for both of us. I felt like I lost control over monitoring Dad, which was strange and made me feel helpless and nervous. Trusting someone else with his care was hard, especially since we’d been let down int he past by previous carers/care companies. Just when we had his care sorted after a long 2 year battle, we had to start over with new staff, new situation, new company, new routines. I also felt guilty, worrying if I had made the right choice, knowing Dad doesn’t like change.

There were struggles initially, and although it was frustrating, I understood that both Dad and the care staff needed time to adjust. The staff had to learn about Dad’s behaviour and routines to make things familiar for him and Dad needed to get used to new surroundings, new routine and unfamiliar faces. Several check-ins were required, but overall, I feel this was the best decision.

After over six weeks at the home, Dad doesn’t even realise he’s in a new environment. I believe bringing all his belongings from his flat to his room helped make it feel familiar. Now, he’s happy, constantly surrounded by people, and continues with his daily activities. When I visit, I can be his daughter again—not his carer—which is wonderful for both of us. We still do the same activities we always have; nothing has changed except our wellbeing has improved.

I’m not saying it’s been an easy journey. There are ongoing challenges that I’m working through with both the home and myself. But I truly believe we made the right decision, and I hope things continue to improve.

Join us! Carer & Members Trip To Tatton Park

On Wednesday 27th August, the lovely Jo and Dan will be running a Carer and Members trip to the glorious Tatton Park!

Take a tour around the stately home, stroll or sit in the beautiful gardens, or watch the children in the play area.

This trip is free for all TDS Carers, and minibus transport is provided - leaving at 11:30am and returning by 3:30pm. You can come independently, or with the person you care for

We have only 15 places available, so please get in touch to book your spot:
📧 [email protected]
📞 0161 226 7186
🚗 Transport available

Carers Spa Afternoon: Book your spot

We all deserve a bit of rest and relaxtion, so join us on Tuesday 26th August to relax at Shrigley Hall spa for an afternoon!

We’ll start off with a light lunch and then make use of their facilities - including indoor and outdoor pool, steam room, sauna and jacuzzi!

Please note: We only 11 spaces available so please book on ASAP.

To book your spot, please get in touch:
📧 [email protected]
📞 0161 226 7186
🚗 Transport available

Save the Date: The Together Trail

We’re launching a brand-new community walk, The Together Trail, and we want you to join us:

📅 Saturday 13th September 🕕 11am 📍 Wythenshawe Park

Here’s what you need to know:

🎽 Target £100 sponsorship per participant
👕 Includes free t‑shirt and finishing medal
➿ Short, accessible route and walkers can repeat the loop for extra steps & extra fundraising fun if they'd like to
🎶 Entertainment, stalls, and community atmosphere

How You Can Help:

• Share the word! Invite your friends and family!

• Share our success stories and photos across social media

• Register for The Together Trail and set up your fundraising page

• Invite others to take part - more walkers, more awareness, more impact!

Thank you for being part of our Together Dementia Support family. Your support, energy, and commitment help us bring essential services to those affected by dementia in Manchester, and we couldn’t do it without you.

Together Dementia Support Legal Clinic

Do you need to sort your Will or Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)?

Our Legal Clinic is back this September at Together Dementia Support — in partnership with Private Client Solicitors.

✅ Friendly, expert advice
✅ Safe, relaxed setting
✅ Book ahead — spots fill fast!

It’s a really simple process - just compete a questionnaire before your appointment, attend the appointment and then sign for your Will or LPA at a second appointment.

📅 Perfect timing — after the summer holidays!
📞 Get in touch now to reserve your appointment 0161 226 7186

Radio fame for Amy & Allan

A few weeks ago a radio producer got in touch with us, asking if we could link them up with a local family who would be willing to talk about eating and dementia.

Amy, a TDS Carer, responded to our call-out and now they are the stars of The Food Chain: Eating well with dementia, aired on the BBC World Service! We’re sure you’ll agree that they tell their story brilliantly.

A huge well done and thanks to Amy and Allan. You can listen here:

Recent Group Trips

Our friendship and activity groups have enjoyed some lovely days out recently to The Lowry and Dunham Massey. It’s always great to be able to take our members out for the day to enjoy the open air during British Summer time.