DISC was formed in March of 2018 when a group of carers asked Emma and Louise to support them in their caring roles. All of the unpaid carers were supporting a family member or friend living with Dementia and they were struggling to get the support and information that they needed.
Emma and Louise had extensive experience in supporting the carers of people living with Dementia and they were determined to ensure that they received the support that was so necessary.
DISC was formed initially to provide facilitated support groups but it quickly became apparent that carers needed more. Louise and Emma actively worked with carers to co-design a service that would meet their needs, this has resulted in DISC providing:
Facilitated support groups
Carer information courses
1 to 1 support through face to face meetings, email, telephone and Zoom
Information and signposting
Referrals into other appropriate services
DISC Dementia Guides
Singing Down Memory Lane
Training for other professionals
Support from pre -diagnosis through post bereavement
DISC knew that cost was a barrier to accessing support. As a result everything that DISC do for carers is completely free of charge. Carers can access support before the person they support has a formal Dementia diagnosis and they will stay with DISC for as long as they need them. There are no limits on how much or how little carers access DISC.
DISC's core mission is to ensure that everyone has the access to the information and support they need to live well with Dementia and, to live well in their caring role. We know how important community is, especially to people who may struggle to remain part of their community due to illness or disability. We support people to form strong links with their community whilst also building resilience and learning the skills they need to make the best possible decisions for themselves and the people they care for.