Luton Culture
Luton Culture is an independent charity that opens up cultural opportunities for everyone, providing arts, museums, libraries and community centres for Luton. Across the charity we work with partners to develop and offer welcoming spaces for people to come together to reflect, play, learn and be inspired. We deliver quality cultural events and, educational activities, celebrate our history and encourage reading and learning.
- Updated:
- 6 February 2020
- Location:
- East of England
- Sectors:
- Arts, Recreation, Voluntary Sector, Children Young People and Students, Community organisations, Education Sector, Health, heritage, Local Authorities, Local DAA Members, Membership organisation
- Local Alliances:
- Luton Dementia Action Alliance
1. Action Plan
1. The National Dementia Declaration lists seven outcomes that the DAA are seeking to achieve for people with dementia and their carers. How would you describe your organisation’s role in delivering better outcomes for people with dementia and their carers?
Luton Culture provides customer-focused services for the whole community, offering opportunities for individuals to learn, develop and take part. Our libraries and community centres act as community hubs and help support people with information and advice to maintain their health and well being and keep their independence. We can help to support many of the outcomes, but particularly
a sense of belonging and of being a valued part of family, community and civic lifefeeling safe and supported at home and in the communityProviding helpful and supportive staff who understand dementia and how to help people.Providing individuals and carers with the opportunity to develop new interests and new social networks.
In addition we can support people by:
Offering information and advice so that they can have fun with a network of others, including people in a similar position. Offer information and advice for carers so that they can establish their own support network that suits their own needs. Providing spaces and venues that are safe, welcoming and inspiring.
2. What are the challenges to delivering these outcomes from the perspective of your organisation?
Time and resources, particularly in this economic climate. We have a large number of staff and volunteers that we want to feel confident when dealing with people who have a diagnosis of dementia. Time is required to ensure the staff understand the concept of being a dementia friend by attending any appropriate information sessions.
2. Actions
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Dementia Champion Training
Luton Culture is committing to training Dementia Champions in each area of the charity, so that they can cascade the Dementia Friends ethos to all staff and volunteers.
We aim to train four Dementia Champions by end 2014
- Status:
- Completed
2014 - Second Quarter Update
4 dementia champions trained by October 2014. Staff awareness sessions now in progress, several public awareness sessions already delivered.
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Our staff and volunteers to be confident to support customers with dementia. Dementia Friends Training for Luton Culture staff
The Dementia Champions will deliver Dementia Friends Information Sessions to Luton Culture staff. We will aim to deliver the sessions to at least half of our staff and volunteers by end 2014
- Status:
- Delivery
2014 - Second Quarter Update
Getting training for the Dementia Champions took longer than anticipated, so this has held back some of the Dementia Friends sessions, but these are now running.
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Public Information and Awareness Raising
We will join the Luton Dementia Action Alliance.
We will take an active part in national and local events and activities to promote Luton as a dementia friendly town. We will host information and advice sessions in our venues, and promote the book stock, leaflets and website information that we have, to enable people with dementia and their carers to lead fuller lives.
- Status:
- Delivery
2014 - Fourth Quarter Update
On 5th March 2014 Luton Libraries launched their new Reading Well Books on Prescription for Dementia scheme. This is part of a national scheme to support people living with dementia and those caring for them.
The scheme centres around a collection of books offering self-help advice and information, practical support and personal stories. The books have been recommended by health professionals and have been tried and tested by people with experience of dementia. The collections are available free of charge at libraries across the UK, as part of the national scheme.
The launch at Luton Central Library was open to families living with dementia, as well as health and social care professionals. It featured a talk from Kim Radford about dementia friendly communities, while Connie Sharp from the Alzheimer’s Society spoke about the services available to people. The launch finished with a vibrant musical demonstration from the group at Music 24, who offer music therapy for people living with dementia and their carers.
2014 - Second Quarter Update
Luton Culture joined the alliance in Summer 2014, Fiona Marriott attends meetings on behalf of the Trust.