Southern Synod of the United Reformed Church
See the website of the United Reformed Church (www.urc.org.uk) for further information
- Updated:
- 17 February 2020
- Location:
- South East
- Sectors:
- Faith Groups
- Local Alliances:
- Chichester Dementia Action Alliance, Bognor 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?
In the light of ageing congregations nationally and their needs, to raise awareness of what it means to be a Person Affected by Dementia, including spiritual needs.
In the local area of Bognor Regis, to explore whether teams of volunteers can be recruited and equipped to lead Christian worship in care homes.
In the local church, to explore whether a monthly memory-style café can be feasibly run by church volunteers who are dementia friends.
2. What are the challenges to delivering these outcomes from the perspective of your organisation?
Raising awareness of dementia will always be an issue.
The Churches nationally face decline and the tendency is to target resources to the economically active and young families.
For older people, “out of sight out of mind” applies here.
Member website
www.paghamurc.org2. Actions
-
To test the feasibility of running a monthly drop-in café on church premises for the local community.
This would be an informal meeting point where those affected by dementia and the lonely (often the same thing) can gather for mutual support and friendship.- Status:
- Initial Scoping
-
To explore whether volunteers from local churches can be sourced to lead Christian worship in care homes in Bognor Regis area.
To offer support and information to those who are prepared to commit to this task.
The reach is potentially not just to residents, but care home staff and relatives.
The aim is to offer spiritual care, based on agreed parameters.
- Status:
- Initial Scoping
-
To work with local churches in Southern Synod of the United Reformed Church
To offer information sessions to congregations so that the church-going experience of Persons affected by Dementia can be enhanced and maintained for as long as possible.
- Status:
- Initial Scoping