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Melin recognised for dementia awareness

Melin Homes has been recognised for its work on becoming a dementia friendly organisation with a presentation of the Alzheimer’s Society logo by Torfaen AM Lynne Neagle.

Written by Sam

13 Jul, 2016

Dementia friends at Melin

Melin Homes has been recognised for its work on becoming a dementia friendly organisation with a presentation of the Alzheimer’s Society logo by Torfaen AM Lynne Neagle.

The presentation was in recognition of the housing association’s work towards creating a dementia friendly organisation and providing inclusive and supportive services for people living with dementia, their families and carers.

At the event last Friday 8th July at Ty George Lansbury in Cwmbran guests learned about Melin’s work including awareness-raising training, memory box sessions, and a children’s book, all aimed at making communities more dementia friendly.

Trained Dementia Friend and Melin’s Living Well Manager Shona Martin has delivered informative myth-busting sessions helping staff to understand what life is like for a person living with Dementia.
The Housing Association’s Communities Team is using a book written by Caerphilly parents who didn’t know how to explain dementia to their children. The team bought 20 copies of the book called ‘The Elephant Who Forgot’ to spread the word amongst their younger residents.

People living at Melin’s sheltered schemes have been getting the benefit of Memory Box reminiscence sessions that the team has been running in conjunction with the Museums service.

Torfaen AM Lynne Neagle said: “This is a cause I carry close to my heart and feel very passionately about. I am very pleased to hear that Melin is making great strides towards becoming a dementia friendly organisation.”

Melin Homes Chief Executive Mark Gardner said: “In Wales there are over 42,000 people living with dementia and as we have an ageing population the numbers are likely to increase. It makes sense that as a caring organisation we do our best to make our services accessible. I’m keen to ensure that all our front line staff are armed with a greater understanding of what it is like to live with dementia.”

You can find a Dementia Friends session near you by visiting the website.


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