The Dementia Voice Leicestershire Group is part of Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Voice. “Dementia Voice Local Groups are groups of people living with or affected by dementia who influence Alzheimer's Society's and other organisations' work. They do this by sharing their personal experiences of dementia, knowledge and skills to shape a wide range of projects and topics”
The group currently meets once monthly, on the third Friday of the month, from 11-12.30pm. This group is intended for person’s living with dementia and their carer’s. People are welcome to attend individually or may attend with support from a carer or loved one.
The purpose of the meetings is for the participants to share their thoughts, feelings, opinions and experiences on a number of topics such as:
1. Developing and shaping government strategy
2. Informing and shaping local strategy
3. Influencing and shaping dementia diagnosis and care pathways
4. Supporting local and national organisations to develop their dementia support services
5. Diagnosis and the dementia journey
6. Support after diagnosis
7. Collaborative working with other local organisations including AGEUK, Admiral Nurses and the Memory Clinic
8. Collaborative working with local venues to feedback and support them to become ‘dementia friendly’
9. Reviewing accessibility to information and support and thinking of ways to make this easier/more seamless
10. New and upcoming technology reviews and guidance
11. Reviewing the impact of the cost of living and what can be done to support people with a diagnosis of dementia
The group also offers elements of peer support, companionship and free advice, signposting and referrals from your local Dementia Adviser.