Dementia Carers Given ‘Lifeline’ In Lockdown

Whilst on lockdown and shielding for three months, vital support from community groups and face-to-face meet-ups, like You, Me and Tea cafes, organised by DSN, have been forced to be suspended.

“It makes me feel like someone really does care.”

That’s the response from one carer of a deaf person in Cheshire who also has dementia.

Whilst on lockdown and shielding for three months, vital support from community groups and face-to-face meet-ups, like You, Me and Tea cafes, organised by DSN, have been forced to be suspended.

“The cafe’s were such a great way to connect with people who are going through the same thing and also for my partner to do some positive mind work with the team at DSN. We totally understood why it had to end but now at home, it feels like all our hard work is starting to fade. It’s a very difficult time indeed.”

To help bridge the lockdown gap, the innovative team at DSN, led by Dr Jenna Wallace, an expert in sensory cognitive decline, have created Wellbeing Packs which are now being disturbed to the You Me and Tea members throughout Cheshire East.

Dr Wallace said: “Members were contacted and all voiced their concerns that they were really disappointed and would miss the stimulation of You Me and Tea. DSN contacted funder (National Lottery Community Fund) to check if they were happy that we changed our offering from face-to-face meetings to sending out activity packs and keeping in contact remotely and luckily they agreed!”

The first activity packs were distributed on March 25th,  and included some word searches and Easter card making activities. Since the bi-weekly packs have included colouring pencils and colouring templates for relaxation and some stimulating brain training activities such as crosswords, word searches, mazes and spot the difference. 

Dr Wallace said the feedback from the activity packs and the weekly phone calls from the team to get updates on how the packs were received have been really humbling.

One carer said: “Please keep sending is great to receive post and really made me smile when it came through. I have loved receiving packages, they are so helpful for stimulating and it’s also great to know DSN are offering support on other aspects whilst we are in lockdown.” 

Another carer added: “I was feeling down today but after speaking to you, I feel so much brighter. It’s lovely to receive the post and makes you think that people do really care about you. We made the Easter cards for our grandchildren who loved them, and were more interested in the cards than the Easter Eggs we bought them, which was a lovely feeling! Nice different activities to help keep us stimulated.”

The scheme is set to roll out across Cheshire West and North Wales in the coming weeks. If you or someone you know if interested in receiving a Wellbeing Dementia Pack please contact dsn@dsnonline.co.uk.

Deafness Support Network

Trustees of the Chester and North Wales Society for the Deaf, and of the Warrington and District Society for Deaf People, together made a landmark decision in 1976 to form the Cheshire Society for the Deaf, now operating as Deafness Support Network (DSN).

DSN is the service provider organisation for D/deaf* people in the county of Cheshire and the surrounding areas. These services are delivered under contract for Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, Wrexham and Flintshire Councils.

*The word Deaf (with a capital D) is used to denote individuals who's first language is British Sign Language, whilst the term D/deaf refers to everyone with hearing loss: Deaf, deaf, deafened, D/deafblind and hard-of-hearing.

The local societies (Deaf Clubs) in Chester, Warrington and Vale Royal retained their independence and continue to thrive to this day, sharing premises with DSN. Each society serves a distinct local community but is strengthened by its partnership with DSN, which is able to innovate and develop, whilst acting as a guide and support for the local organisations.

Call  0333 220 5050 or email dsn@dsnonline.co.uk

www.dsnonline.co.uk

Facebook: @DeafnessSupportNetwork

Twitter: @DSNonline

YouTube: @DeafnessSupport

LinkedIN: DSN at Deafness Support Network

DSN has centres at the following addresses:

Northwich 144 London Road, Northwich,
Cheshire, CW9 5HH.

Macclesfield
27 Bridge Street
Macclesfield
SK11 6EG.

Chester
South View Road, Chester,
Cheshire, CH1 4JG.

Supported Living Services - Stepping Stones
Weir Street
Northwich
CW9 5HL

Pictured - Dr Jenna Wallace and Cameron Williams from DSN package up activity packs which are being sent to those who are deaf and/or have a memory loss in lockdown.