Cross Gates & District Good Neighbours Scheme

Cross Gates & District Good Neighbours’ Scheme was founded in 2002 and registered as a charity in 2007 to work with and for older people in the Cross Gates area of Leeds. Cross Gates and District Good Neighbours’ Scheme works with and for older people to: • Reduce loneliness and isolation • Support independence • Promote healthy lifestyles • Try new things

Updated:
27 October 2014
Location:
Yorkshire and Humber
Sectors:
Voluntary Sector
Local Alliances:
Leeds Dementia Action Alliance, Yorkshire & Humber 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?

Cross Gates & District Good Neighbours’ Scheme offers one-to-one support for people with dementia. Most of our groups include people with dementia. We run a monthly dementia café – ‘Birds of a Feather’ for people with dementia, their families and carers. We also run a monthly sing-a-long group with one-to-one support for people with dementia.

We have put in place different measures to support independence, especially for those with memory impairment. Time tables, telephone prompts, organising of appointments, transport and support are just a few of the things we have focused on. From regular feedback these are making a huge impact and improving the everyday lives of some of our members.

2. What are the challenges to delivering these outcomes from the perspective of your organisation?

We are continually seeking to improve the support offered to those living well with dementia.

Challenges faced by our organisation are mainly due to difficulties with communication, either because the person with dementia has deteriorated and has no family to support them or the family find it difficult to accept the situation and to cope with it.

Member website

www.crossgatesgns.org.uk

2. Actions

  • Volunteer and Staff dementia awareness training

    In Spring 2015 we will be running Dementia Awareness training for staff and volunteers. The training is part of a pilot scheme in partnership with Leeds Older People’s Forum and other Neighbourhood Networks as part of the Leeds Innovation Fund.     

    Status:
    Planning

  • Increase one-to-one volunteer support in groups for people with dementia

    To increase the number of people with dementia attending our regular groups we need to recruit more volunteers to support individuals on a one-to-one basis. This is ongoing. We currently have 15 volunteers who have expressed an interest to offer dementia specific support.    

    Status:
    Implementation

  • Increase dementia awareness in our local neighbourhood

    We have recently been adopted by Crossgates Shopping Centre as their ‘Charity of the Year’. We will be working closely with them to increase awareness of older people’s needs and this will include people with dementia. We will be promoting Leeds Dementia Action Alliance to the shopping centre.

    Status:
    Planning
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