Dementia NI

Description

Who We Are

Dementia NI was set up by five people living with a diagnosis of dementia.

The organisation was founded on 15 January 2015 to provide a voice for people who are living with a diagnosis of dementia and to reach out to others who have dementia.

Today Dementia NI is a membership organisation led by people with dementia who are developing empowerment groups across Northern Ireland, with support from staff and volunteers.

What we do

Members attend empowerment meetings as well as travel in their local area to give talks at events. Some members are unable to attend regular meetings but will continue our work by contributing at external meetings and groups, giving talks and sharing their experiences.

Anyone with a diagnosis of dementia can become a member of Dementia NI.

Our aims

• Challenge the stigma of having a diagnosis by raising awareness about dementia
• Promote the rights of people living with dementia to influence policy, practice and service delivery across Northern Ireland
• Provide training, education and awareness to organisations and the public on how to live well with dementia
• Support people living with dementia to lobby and raise awareness of dementia in their own right.

Public involvement in research

Dementia NI Empowerment Groups

Dementia NI groups are specifically for people living with dementia.

Our members meet on a regular basis, offer each other peer support through their friendly social gatherings and raise awareness about what it is like to live with the symptoms of dementia. Dementia Empowerment Groups provide a place where people with dementia can come and share, reflect and provide peer support. Members use their experiences and opinions to make a difference in the services and support provided to them to better meet their individual needs and challenge the stigma of dementia.

Dementia NI groups regularly host visitors at the Empowerment Groups to offer feedback, consult and share experiences to anyone wishing to gain the opinions of people with dementia

Dementia NI Awareness Sessions

Members give talks which challenge the stigma of having a diagnosis, dispelling preconceptions surrounding the condition and educate others about what it is like to live with dementia and what support they need, in the hope that everyone will become more understanding and accepting of their symptoms.

Supported by staff and volunteers who give a background on dementia, Dementia NI members raise awareness of dementia and bring these unique sessions to life by adding their real-life experiences of living with dementia

Their aim: To challenge associated negative assumptions in the hope that others will be more accepting and tolerant of the symptoms, and helpful towards people living with the condition.

Tailored Consultations

People with dementia are users of local services and Dementia NI members play a vital role in influencing how to make Dementia Friendly communities.

Dementia NI  – What our members do:

• Members can advise community groups, shops and organisations on how they can make their facilities or service more appropriate for people with dementia to access. e.g. Quality of Service Audits / Mystery Shops.
• How to make resources/leaflets more understandable and clear for people with dementia.
• Participate in steering groups where they can contribute to societal issues which may affect them and others living with dementia.
• Make their voices heard to make positive changes for people with dementia.

Through raising awareness, challenging the stigma, and enabling all those who are living with dementia to be part of community life, Dementia NI will continue to reach out and support more people living with dementia across Northern Ireland throughout their journey.