Training, Events and Speakers

New Peer Support group

We are continuing to develop peer support across Trafford, and from April will be starting a new group in Urmston. Details are as follows:

Starting on Tuesday 6th April, we will meet on the 1st Tuesday of each month.
From 1:00 - 3:30 pm
Urmston Conservative Club, Crofts Bank Road, Urmston.
The group is open to anyone with memory loss or dementia and their close family member / carer. Those recently diagnosed are particularly welcome, but we will not turn anyone away if they have been diagnosed for longer but who would benefit from support.

Although the dementia advisers are on hand to provide a source of information and guidance on various topics of relevance, the most important people at peer support are the 'peers' themselves, who understand best what someone else in that situation is going through. As well as a social opportunity, you will be in a supportive, informal environment, where it is OK to speak your mind about your experience of health and social care services, how you are feeling, and what can be done to improve the lives of people with dementia. The groups are free of charge to attend.

Carers Group

A quick reminder also that our carers group is now meeting on the 3rd Monday of each month at Wellington House, Sandy Lane, Stretford, from 1:30. All carers welcome to attend.

Imperial War Museum Outing

If you feel unsure about coming to our group, why not join us on our next afternoon out? On Tuesday 6th March we will be meeting at The Imperial War Museum at 12:30 where you can join us on a guided exploration of objects from the second world war, and find the cafe for a cup of tea and a chat.
Please don't hestiate to contact Lise or Joanna on 0161 746 3944 for further information.

Doorstep Safety

Our Newhaven group will be joined by Trafford Trading Standards on Tuesday 28th February. We are continuing to receive questions and concerns about the number of door step and telephone traders, particularly those who are persistent and are quite clear that these issues are to be taken seriously. Genuine traders and charities should be respectful of requests to remove your details from contact lists, and people should not feel reluctant to flag up when calls and requests for money are continued. Join us at 10 am on 28th February, Newhaven Extra Care, Tulip Drive, Timperley.

Memory Event

We are holding our next memory loss event at Urmston Library on 23rd February, 10:30 - 3:00. We will be joined by researchers from the University of Manchester who are interested in finding out how people with dementia can continue to be cared for at home, instead of moving to a care home. A buffet lunch will also be provided. If you wish to attend, please contact us on 0161 746 3944 to put your name down and a full agenda will be sent to you nearer the time.

Dementia Awareness Training

We also have places left on our Dementia Awareness Training days. Our facilitator, Eileen Kane, is an experienced nurse, carer and educator in the issues surrounding dementia care and always provides a lively, interesting and informative day. This training is open to those currently caring for someone with dementia and Age UK Trafford volunteers, and will run from 10:30 - 3:00 with lunch provided. There are limited places on the following dates: 16th March, 20th March and 21st March. Please contact Elaine Barton on 0161 746 9754 if you wish to attend.

Cancer Speaker

We have a cancer awareness talk at our Newhaven peer support group on 24th April. Trafford Carers Centre caseworkers will be joining us from 10.00 to provide information and an opportunity to ask questions about cancer generally. All welcome.

Dementia Engagement and Empowerment Project (DEEP)

Members of our Butler Court group will be joining peers from all over the North at an event to celebrate the DEEP project which was led by the Mental Health Foundation. The project was all about discovering the work that people are doing to ensure people with dementia are playing an active role in their local groups as well as influencing decisions on local dementia service provivion. Hopefully the development of a national network will make us, and the voices of people with dementia stronger. We will be going to Stockport County Football Club on the 13th March to fly the flag for Trafford's Peer Support Network.

Trafford Spending Consultation

Don't forget Trafford Council's consultation on their proposed changes to social care provision in line with funding cuts is open until 27th February, so if you have yet to offer you thoughts on the proposals, you can do so via Age UK Trafford on 0161 746 3944 or directly to the council on 0161 912 1219.

I think that is all for now, but please don't hesitate to call us or email to dementia.adviser@ageuktrafford.org.uk with any queries or questions. In particular, if there is a specific topic which you would like to know about, let us know and we will see what we can do.