Christmas CandleHere we are again, who can believe it has been a whole year?!! As we prepare for the festive season we just wanted to share with you updates from our team and to once again remind you that we are here if you need any support.

Keeping you up to date

First of all, an update about our Team. This year has been quite a tough year for our team. After many fantastic years together (some of us since 2007), we were sad to say ‘goodbye’ to our lovely Team Leader, Lisa McAvan. Lisa is still working within Leeds and has taken up a new position with ‘Aireborough Voluntary Services to the Elderly’, she will be fantastic and we wish her all the luck in the world with this.

Our Dementia Carer Support Worker, Fiona Porteous, took retirement earlier this year. Fiona couldn’t stay away for long though, and so between her campervan travels, she volunteers with our team (big hurray!!) Fiona helps with both the Yeadon Dementia Carers Group and with the Dementia Carer Training Workshops.

Our Young Dementia Carer Support Worker, Lucy Collins, is due to go on maternity leave from mid-January. Lucy is very excited to welcome her second child, and we can’t wait to meet the new addition. To cover Lucy’s maternity cover, we welcome Nashima Choudhury into the role. Nashima has worked within our team for some time as our Dementia Welfare Caller and she can’t wait to take on her new role.

We also said ‘farewell’ to Caroline Howarth who had been working on our Hospital Based Carer Support Project, and to our Dementia Welfare Caller Diane who has moved to volunteer for another project in Carers Leeds. We wish both Caroline and Diane all the best.

Group and Training Updates

Dementia Carer Training Workshops: In Leeds, there are currently an estimated 7,400 carers who are supporting a person with dementia/memory difficulties – 85% people with dementia are supported by an unpaid carer. (Living with Dementia in Leeds Report Appendix 8.1 250920.pdf) We are expanding our dementia carer training provision so that carers can have timely and equal access to a training course, enabling you to build your knowledge and skills to feel confident in the support you offer to the person that you are caring for.

In 2022 monthly training courses will be available, either online or face to face. Face to face will take place over 3 hours on a Saturday (One date available in both January and March). Online sessions will take place for an hour each week, over 4 week (online program available for February) and will be less formal, allowing people to pick and choose the sessions that they wish to attend. For further information: Advice Line on 0113 3804300.

Carer Support Groups: We have recommenced our face to face carer support groups in Pudsey, Garforth, Yeadon and Morley, along with our Young Dementia Carer Support Group at Cottingley. For info on these: Advice Line 01133804300

Online Dementia Carers Coffee Catch Up: Our virtual coffee catch ups on zoom have been particularly successful this year, we have covered a range of topics including respite care, communication, memory difficulties, support around washing and dressing, Power of Attorney, and have had many fantastic speakers from organisations such as Dementia Adventure, Memory Lane Day Care, Community Dieticians and West Yorkshire Police. For further info, contact Dawn: dawn.perkins@carersleeds.org.uk or our Advice Line 0113 3804300.

Digital Inclusion Project: If you would like to join our ‘virtual’ groups but don’t know how, or have the necessary equipment, our Digital Inclusion Project can help you. Please contact Holly Wilkins, Carers Digital Inclusion Co-ordinator on Holly.Wilkins@carersleeds.org.uk or contact our advice line on 0113 380 4300.

Hospital Based Carer Support: If you or the person that you are caring for are an inpatient in a Leeds Hospital and need support, please do get in touch with our Advice Line 0113 380 4300 who can refer you on to our Hospital Project if required.

One to One Carer Support: Our specialist dementia one to one support has continued this year, primarily over the telephone or over zoom. We also have experienced dementia welfare callers who provide great support for our Dementia Carer Support Workers. Our Advice Line is also available for more urgent support 0113 380 4300.

Support over the festive period

Over the festive period, if you need any support then please contact our Advice Line:

Carers Advice Line: 0113 380 4300

  • Friday 24th December – 9am till 2pm
  • Monday 27th December – Bank Holidays – Closed
  • Tuesday 28th December – Bank Holiday – Closed
  • Wednesday 29th December – 9am – 5pm
  • Thursday 30th December – 9am – 5pm
  • Friday 31st December – 9am – 2pm
  • Monday 3rd January – Bank Holiday – Closed
  • Tuesday 4th January – 9am – 5pm

You will also find other helpful numbers on our website: https://www.carersleeds.org.uk/dementia-resource/

We wish you a safe, supported and most of all happy festive season, with our very best wishes for 2022.

Carers Leeds Dementia Hub