DEMENTIA FRIENDLY LLANTWIT MAJOR

What are our aims?

We want to make Llantwit Major a ‘Dementia Friendly’ community and to understand better the needs of those living with dementia, as well as to empower them to live full and rewarding lives through the provision of appropriate attitudes and facilities.

Specifically, our objectives are to:

• Raise awareness of the issues faced by those living with dementia.

• Facilitate access to professional advice and expertise, for example as provided by the Alzheimer’s Society.

• Provide up to date information, for example on the web site and in print about what is provided for those experiencing dementia in Llantwit Major.

• Encourage and liaise with local shops and businesses and provide window stickers, mats, leaflets etc. for them if they pledge to be ‘dementia friendly’

• Liaise with local schools, care homes, the emergency services etc.

• Help to provide safe social inclusive activities and appropriate transport.

• Provide/facilitate dementia training sessions.

• Hold an annual ‘Dementia Friendly’ open day.

• Increase awareness of lifestyle choices that may help reduce the incidence of the disease.

What do we do?

The steering group, consisting of local councillors and representatives from various charities and health, emergency and voluntary services in the area, meets about once every two months to plan activities and to make progress on its stated objectives. For example, it has recently obtained grants from the Llantwit Major Rotary Club, Lions International, the Vale of Glamorgan Mayor’s Fund and the Vale Wine Circle to purchase a number of ‘dementia friendly’ entrance mats for local businesses and to produce a Llantwit Major information booklet. Training sessions for local businesses and organisations are also being planned.

Currently, our main ‘dementia friendly’ activity is the Memory Café, which takes place in the Catholic Church Hall on Ham Lane every second and fourth Tuesday in the month between 2.00 and 4.00 p.m. It caters for those with dementia and their families and carers. Participants enjoy refreshments and a chat and various types of entertainment, such as a violinist, a harpist and the ukulele band. The cafe is a ‘safe place’ where members feel welcome and are able to relax. All those experiencing any form of dementia and their carers and families are welcome.

We are also present at the Chatty Caffi every first Thursday of the month between
12.00 noon and 2.00 p.m. at CF61 to give out information and to provide help and advice.

There are also several other activities held regularly in the town that those with dementia may wish to attend, such as Ageing Well, With Music in Mind and the Chatty Café. Details of all such activities can be found by contacting GVS at CF61 or the Town Council.

We also liaise closely with our local MP and MS, who are very supportive.