'Making it Personal' event

A Conference on Dementia - Bradford University 21st September 2010

event photo 1Attended by over 100 front-line staff in health and social care and the voluntary sector, this well received conference celebrated World Dementia Day in lively and entertaining style.

The conference combined information and presentations on both national and local developments in the field of dementia, with a focus on personalised care and practical ways to engage with the needs of users and carers. Information stalls also reflected the scope and multi-cultural diversity of Bradford's services and organisations.

Ably chaired by Alan Griffin of Attend (leading national charity putting volunteering at the heart of health and social care), the morning offered, alongside presentations on personalised care and community services, a performance by the "Happy Memories" singing group, combined of people with dementia and their carers. Afterwards, workshops focussed on improving dignity in care in local acute hospitals, designing the built environment to improve the lives of people with dementia and on life story work and dementia care mapping in local care homes.

In the afternoon, Alan organised an innovative way of enlivening the audience with a brief but entertaining display of conjuring tricks from a local magician! Presentations followed on Bradford Alzheimer's Society's work with carers, Workforce Development issues and Bradford Library service multi-media work.

The day provided a valuable opportunity for networking between frontline staff from various backgrounds and offered many new ideas for better working with people with dementia and their carers.

John Grier. Dementia Strategy Coordinator. (Bradford Council Adult Services -tel:01274 431748)

Resources from the event: