Connect and Support (The Voluntary Network)
Connect and Support is operated by The Voluntary Network, an extension of our Befriending Service. It covers the whole of West Suffolk. Connect and Support has two key roles: • Befriending service to those living with dementia • Support for those look to maintain mobility after hospital discharge, volunteers providing motivation and encouragement.

- Updated:
- 16 July 2019
- Location:
- East of England
- Sectors:
- Voluntary, Communication
- Local Alliances:
- Newmarket 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?
The aim of Connect and Support is to support people living with dementia to have a sense of belonging and being a valued part of family and community life by providing a safe and supported environment
All volunteers are provided with Dementia Friends awareness training.
The aim of Connect and Support is to support people living with dementia to have a sense of belonging and being a valued part of family and community life by providing a safe and supported environment.
2. What are the challenges to delivering these outcomes from the perspective of your organisation?
We need further Dementia Friends awareness sessions due to the number of volunteers and their different work hours. We also need to include dementia awareness in new staff induction programmes.
Member website
www.thevoluntarynetwork.org2. Actions
-
Improve our understanding of Dementia
We will arrange for all staff/volunteers to be dementia aware to ensure greater understanding of the condition and how we can help through dementia training sessions.
- Status:
- Delivery
-
Work in partnership with Newmarket DAA
Connect and Support will work with the Newmarket Dementia Action Alliance to support Newmarket to become a dementia friendly community and encourage other organisations to attend Dementia Friends awareness sessions and sign up to the Dementia Action Alliance.
- Status:
- Delivery
-
Promoting dementia awareness
Connect and Support will display the NDAA window sticker to show it is a member of the NDAA. Also when applicable and appropriate the dementia friendly sticker, to demonstrate it is a dementia friendly Organisation.
- Status:
- Planning