Dementia Support Line
News
SplashChat Celebrates 10 Years! 🏊♂️🎉
We`re thrilled to celebrate a decade of SplashChat – a weekly social swimming group jointly run by the Occupational Therapists, the Memory Assessment Service (MAS), Dementia Jersey and the AquaSplash.
For 10 years, this wonderful group has been providing a vital social and therapeutic swimming experience for people living with dementia.
Key milestones:
- 2015: SplashChat founded in joint venture between Dementia Jersey, Government of Jersey, AquaSplash and the Memory Assessment Centre.
- 2016: SplashChat wins two awards at the Government of Jersey’s “Quality Health Improvement Award” for “Innovation in Practice” and the “Overall Winner” title.
- 2017: The program gains international recognition and representatives from the swim group are invited to present SplashChat at the Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) Conference in Kyoto, Japan.
- 2023: SplashChat attendees and volunteers complete their own Jersey to France swim challenge in the pool, covering a remarkable 30km.
- 2024: Another year, another swim challenge for the group! This time completing the equivalent of a round-the-island swim!
- 2025: SplashChat celebrates its 10th Anniversary!
Thank you to everyone who has been part of this incredible journey – participants, volunteers, and supporters.
#DementiaJersey #SplashChat #JerseyCI
Love Your Heart - Look After Your Brain! 🧠❤️
Did you know that what`s good for your heart is also good for your brain?
Keeping your heart healthy - through regular physical activity, a balanced diet, and not smoking - can significantly reduce your risk of dementia.
Find out more about how to #LoveYourHeart
https://dementia.je/boostyourbrain/love-your-heart/
#DementiaJersey #BoostYourBrain #BrainHealth #HeartHealth #JerseyCI
Over 150 people have signed up for our #50MileChallenge so far! Join the fun and challenge yourself to walk or run 50 miles this January.
All money raised from sign ups and additional fundraising will help support people in Jersey living with dementia.
Register via the link below and start tracking your miles today!
https://race-nation.co.uk/register/dementia-jersey/50-mile-challenge-dementia-jersey-2025
Tag your friends, family or colleagues to help spread the word.
#DementiaJersey #doingitfordementia #jerseyci
We’re excited to launch our #BoostYourBrain campaign for 2025!
We know that up to a surprising 45% of cases of dementia could be prevented or delayed with some simple lifestyle changes.
Our Boost Your Brain campaign aims to raise awareness of maintaining good brain health to help prevent dementia via three key messages – Love your Heart, Stay Sharp and Keep Connected.
We`ll be sharing information and helpful tips on how you can keep your brain healthy to help reduce your risk of dementia. Over the next few months, we`ll be focusing on ways to love your heart... stay tuned!
Want more information now? Head over to https://dementia.je/boostyourbrain/
#DementiaJersey #BrainHealth #JerseyCI
Here’s your reminder to sign up to our #50MileChallenge 🏃♂️🚶♀️
Walk or run 50 miles throughout January and help support people in Jersey living with dementia.
A few reasons to join…
- Get active: Improve your overall health and explore beautiful Jersey (the sun looks to be making an appearance on the weekend!) or jump on the treadmill at the gym.
- Support a great cause: every sign up helps raise valuable funds for Dementia Jersey and will help us to continue to provide vital services and support.
- Stay connected: why not use the challenge as a way to catch up with friends and family.
- Easy to Join: sign up via the link below and track your progress with the RaceNation app or you can link to your Strava, or track manually.
Sign up today! https://race-nation.co.uk/register/dementia-jersey/50-mile-challenge-dementia-jersey-2025
#DementiaJersey #DoingItForDementia #JerseyCI
FREE DEMENTIA TRAINING FOR FAMILY CARERS – MARCH 2025
Calling all family carers! We have a limited amount of space left on our Dementia Information Programme (DIP) session in March.
Our March sessions will run every Thursday throughout the month. We have morning (10:45am – 1:15pm) or evening (6:45pm to 9:15pm) sessions available, depending on what better suits your schedule.
What is DIP? This 4-week interactive course is designed specifically for family carers, providing valuable insights, advice, and practical tips to help you better support a person living with dementia at home.
Find out more and book your space via www.dementia.je/DIP
#DementiaJersey #DementiaSupport #CarerSupport #JerseyCI
Merry Christmas from St Ouens Beach 🎅🏽🎄
Thank you to everyone who braved the water today for the Christmas Day swim in aid of Dementia Jersey and for everyone’s generous donations. We’re so grateful for the support. We’ll give an update on the amount raised when we’re back in the office after the festive break.
Thank you once again @thejerseysurfboardclub for choosing to support Dementia Jersey and shout out to @watersplashjersey for opening their doors on Christmas to support the event and to @daisy_thephotographer for volunteering her time this morning to help with the bucket collection 💜
#DementiaJersey #jerseyci
Christmas and New Year Office Closure 🎄
Please note our office will be closed between Christmas and New Year.
Closing: 12pm on Tuesday 24th December
Reopening: 10am on Thursday 2nd January
For any assistance, please call the relevant contact:
- In an emergency, please call 999
- If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, please call 01534 445290
- If you are already receiving help from the Older Adult Community Mental Health Team (OACMHT), please call 01534 444830.
We hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
#dementiajersey
Christmas Day Swim in aid of Dementia Jersey 💜
Meet at @splashsurfcentre next to @watersplashjersey from 10:45 for acclimatising, quick brief and the traditional group photo, before braving the water at 11am.
Thank you @thejerseysurfboardclub for choosing to raise money for Dementia Jersey.
Please assess the conditions and your own ability before entering the water, as the conditions may be deemed dangerous for those not accustomed to sea swimming. If in doubt, do not enter the water.
#dementiajersey #doingitfordementia #jerseyci
We love hearing about fundraising initiatives organisations run in aid of Dementia Jersey.
Shout out to @geniifundservices and their Festive Fundraising Fir🎄
For every £5 a member of staff donated, a Christmas light was coloured in. Their target was £250 but through the generosity of the employees, they smashed the target and raised £370.
Huge thank you and well done to the team at Gen II, we’re so grateful for all your support throughout 2024. From jumping out of a plane to bake sales, you’ve all made a huge difference to the lives of people in Jersey living with dementia.
Thank you for helping us get closer to a dementia friendly island 💜
#DementiaJersey #JerseyCI #DoingItForDementia
Step into the New Year for Dementia Jersey! We`re challenging everyone to get their steps in this January to help raise funds to support people in Jersey living with dementia.
You can choose how and when you want to get your miles in. All you need to do is complete 50 miles throughout the month of January. This is the perfect challenge for all the family to enjoy.
Staying physically active can improve your brain health and keep your heart healthy. Start the year as you mean to go on and get involved!
To find out more and to register, visit https://race-nation.co.uk/register/dementia-jersey/50-mile-challenge-dementia-jersey-2025
Tag your friends, family or colleagues to help spread the word!
#DementiaJersey #50MileChallenge #DoingItForDementia #JerseyCI
Christmas can be one of the most magical times of year, but it can also be one of the most challenging times for people living with dementia and their family and friends.
If you’re caring for someone with dementia, here are some tips you might find helpful during the festive period…
1. Introduce the Christmas environment slowly - put decorations up gradually so it doesn’t come as a big change to their usual setting. Also, consider involving the person with dementia with putting up the decorations and wrapping presents.
2. Plan ahead – over the Christmas period, services like pharmacies, dentists and GPs have reduced opening hours. To make sure you’re not caught out, try to get things sorted in good time before you start celebrating with friends or family.
3. Keep to routines – stick to a familiar routine and keep the day’s activities as simple as possible.
4. Be mindful of food – a full plate can be daunting for someone who has difficulties eating, so try not to overload it. It’s also important to try and follow their usual likes and dislikes when it comes to food.
5. Create a quiet space - Christmas day can be noisy and busy, which could be overwhelming for a person with dementia. Try and avoid unnecessary noise like crackers and loud music. Keep one room or space in the home a quiet spot where someone with dementia can feel relaxed.
6. Bring back old memories and favourites - play some of their favourite songs from over the years they used to enjoy or put on a classic Christmas film. Making a family photo album or memory box could help bring everyone together.
8. Give yourself a break – this time of year can be overwhelming. Take it one step at a time and try not to put too much pressure on yourself. Enjoy the day for what it is, and accept any help offered by others.
We hope these ideas help you feel more prepared for the festive season ahead 🎄
#DementiaJersey #DementiaSupport #JerseyCI
Take part in our next Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP) meeting this Thursday 12th December.
LEAP is an informal open meeting for anyone who has a family member or friend with dementia to discuss their experiences.
THE DETAILS
Date: Thursday 12th December
Time: 12.15 – 13.45
Location: Dementia Jersey’s new offices at 74 Halkett Place, St Helier
Topic being discussed: your experiences with dementia-friendliness in Jersey (healthcare, shops, businesses)
Refreshments provided. Feel free to bring your own lunch.
Space is limited! Please RSVP by emailing info@dementia.je or phone 01534 723519.
Please share with your friends and family.
#DementiaJersey #LEAP #DementiaFriendly #Jersey
Our Club Uno had a wonderfully festive time making Christmas wreaths.
Huge thank you to Floralies Florist, Simone Sains and David Hicks for your support in making this activity free to attend. Along with generous donations, we managed to forage all our foliage including some from our own allotment!
Think we can all agree these wreaths look amazing! 🤩
#DementiaJersey #jerseyci
Do you still need to buy your Christmas cards? 🎄🎅🏽 We’re at NatWest (Library Place) selling our lovely Christmas cards which have been designed by participants who attend our art group. All money raised from sales will help support people with dementia in Jersey.
If you’re in town, pop by and say hello! 👋🏽 We’ll be here until around 4pm.
#DementiaJersey #jerseyci
Thank you to @governmentofjersey for having us at their Embrace our Difference event.
It was great to see how organisations are working together to help create a more inclusive society.
#DementiaJersey #jerseyci
Join us for our annual Christmas Carol Service at the St Helier Parish Church (Town Church) on Saturday 14th December at 2.30pm 🎄
The service will feature traditional Christmas carols and a performance by our Musical Memories group, followed by a chance to enjoy a mince pie or two! It will be a wonderful opportunity to come together as a community and celebrate the festive season.
The event is free to attend. We will have a retiring collection for Dementia Jersey and the Town Church.
Please note: Limited parking is available for blue badge holders only. We will have a drop off system in place should you require to drop someone off before parking.
We look forward to seeing you there!
#DementiaJersey #JerseyCI
Do you still need to buy your Christmas cards? 🎄🎅🏽 We’re in the market today selling our lovely Christmas cards which have been designed by participants who attend our art group. All money raised from sales will help support people with dementia in Jersey.
If you’re in town, pop by and say hello! 👋🏽 We’ll be here until 3pm
#DementiaJersey #jerseyci
And the 2024 Mike Tomkinson Award goes to...
Each year Dementia Jersey presents the Mike Tomkinson Trophy to an individual, or individuals who have made a significant contribution towards supporting people with dementia.
This year the award was presented to an extremely worthy group – the Dementia Strategy Steering Group - who worked together to produce the island’s first ever dementia strategy; a landmark publication which sets out 5 key priorities to improve the lives of people with dementia and their families.
Our Patron, Dr Kyd, presented the Mike Tomkinson Award to Rachel McBride and Sian Wareing-Jones who collected the award on behalf of the steering group.
You can read more about the strategy here: https://dementia.je/about-us/campaigns/jersey-dementia-strategy/
#DementiaJersey #JerseyCI
This evening, we celebrated the official opening of our new dementia friendly office. We were delighted that our Patron, Dr Kyd and his Excellency were able to join us.
Our new office is a significant milestone for Dementia Jersey and a testament to our growth and commitment to influencing a more dementia-friendly island.
It’s the support from our donors, fundraisers, volunteers, staff and partnering agencies that have made this all possible and we are so grateful.
A special thanks to the following who helped bring this vision to life: @style__interiors, @axismason, the Colin Smith Partnership, Brady & Gallagher, HD Planning, Bluesky Office, @signtechci, @enso.solutions and @jtsocial.
We were also kindly gifted photos from @davidfergusonpix to cover a number of full sized walls throughout the office, a print from @lovejerseymedia which sits in our reception and our CEO’s mum gifted us some lovely artwork which we’ve used in our meeting rooms.
Want to see the new space? We’re having an open viewing tomorrow, Friday 29th November, from 2-4 PM. Pop in and say hello.
📍74 Halkett Place, St Helier
#DementiaJersey #JerseyCI #DementiaSupport
Dan, our Meeting Place Coordinator, is attending the 18th UK Dementia Congress in Coventry to find out about the latest innovations in dementia care and showcase Dementia Jersey’s Meeting Place Project.
Here he is with Guernsey Alzheimer’s Association and Hospice Isle of Man.
#ukdc #dementiacongress #dementia
Welcome to our new home at 74 Halkett Place 💜
It’s been a long time coming and we are SO excited to show you around! This video is very much a whistle stop tour of what to expect and to be honest, there is a lot we’ve not included!
The space has been designed with so much thought to ensure it’s dementia friendly - colourful doors and walls to create contrast, clear signage and hand rails.
We have two comfy meeting rooms which will be used primarily by our dementia advisors and counsellors. These rooms have been designed to create a warm and cozy feel. We also have a third meeting room which will be used for more formal meetings.
We’ll be sharing more photos and videos of our new office so keep your eyes peeled!
A huge thank you to everyone involved in the refurb @axismason, @style__interiors, Brady & Gallagher, Colin Smith Partnership, HD Planning, Blue Sky Office, @signtechci, @enso.solutions, @jtsocial and @davidfergusonpix
#DementiaJersey #dementiafriendly #jerseyci
We`re moving to our forever home! 💜🏚️
We`re thrilled to announce that our new dementia-friendly office will be open from 10am on Tuesday 19th November.
New Location: 74 Halkett Place, St Helier, JE2 4WH (opposite Bean Around the World, near the library)
We’ll be sharing more details and photos of our new home in the next week or so, keep your eyes peeled!
If you have any questions, please email info@dementia.je or call us at 01534 723519.
#DementiaJersey #JerseyCI
Our next Carers’ Support meeting is this Wednesday at Ransoms.
This free, friendly, supportive group is open to anyone supporting or caring for someone with dementia. It’s an opportunity to meet others in similar situations and share experiences and knowledge. Our Dementia Advisor team attend these meetings and will be happy to chat with you too.
Date: Wednesday 6th November 2024
Location: Ransoms (The Old Tack Room)
Time: 11:00 - 13:00
The meeting is free to attend, however, there is a £3 charge for refreshments. Please bring cash.
RSVP: Please book your place by 12:00 on Tuesday 5th November. You can email info@dementia.je or call 01534 723519.
#DementiaJersey #DementiaSupport #JerseyCI
We launched a new location for our Meeting Place Project last week - we’ll now be hosting a session every Thursday afternoon in St Ouen. The group enjoyed Halloween brain training and Eastern inspired movement with Ann Dove.
Our Meeting Place Project is designed for people with mild symptoms and a diagnosis of dementia and provides an opportunity to share experiences and talk with other people in similar situations. The group also participates in brain stimulating activities and light physical activities.
#DementiaJersey #DementiaSupport #JerseyCI