Sharon Bannister and Ellen Saunders
New Service at Heathlands benefiting people with dementia
15-Apr-2010A new dementia service was officially launched on Wednesday, 10th March at the Lancashire Fusiliers Museum, Moss Street, Bury. In response to the National Dementia Strategy, Bury Metropolitan Borough Council, together with The Federation of Jewish Services, is piloting the new service, funded by the Department of Health. The pilot is aimed at improving services for people who have dementia, and their relatives.
Two Dementia Advisors, Sharon Bannister and Nicola Meaking, have been appointed to work with residents across Bury. They are being managed by Manchester Alzheimer’s Society and will have access to a wealth of useful information. As part of their work, they will provide outreach sessions at Heathlands Village, which is part of The Federation of Jewish Services. The purpose of these sessions is to offer advice and signposting for people with dementia, of any age, and their extended family. This service will be open to all Bury residents and will link directly to the new health facility opening this month on Parson’s Lane, Bury. The Dementia Advisors will be working alongside Bury Community Mental Health Team and will receive referrals from doctors and staff at the Parson’s Lane Memory Clinic.
The sessions will take place on the last Thursday of every month, between 2.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m. and will be based on the ground floor of Eventhall House. Ellen Saunders, Adult Social Work Team Manager at The Federation of Jewish Services is delighted that FJS is part of the new service:
“It is always our aim to improve the support we offer to people in the community. Historically the needs of people with dementia in the UK have been woefully unacknowledged and under-resourced, but things are changing. The Federation of Jewish Services is committed to increasing and improving services for people with dementia wherever possible.”
To find out more about the service contact either Sharon on 07850 929786 or Nicola on 07850 929785 for more information or call Victoria Morris on 0161 795 0024.