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?

We believe that there is an urgent need for better recognition of dementia and for better information to be available to both sufferers of the condition and their carers. Our organisation operates The Peer Mentoring and Befriending Project which aims to raise awareness about dementia by supporting and signposting  carers to relevant organisations and services. The volunteers provide not only practical support, but also emotional support to carers. As our volunteers have all been carers themselves, their understanding of the issues that carers face is invaluable. We also run two Carers Support Groups where information can be signposted on to carers, and where carers can listen to speakers from relevant organisations and become better informed.

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

 The early stages of dementia are often missed in people, particularly when they have other health conditions which are problematic- awareness and recognition of the condition is a problem. Also, we realise that there are still many hidden carers who we need to be able to reach to offer our services.

Member contacts

http://www.manchestercarersforum.org.uk/