A dementia-friendly drop-in group in Portishead held a special event on Friday 4 March, the start of Social Prescribing Week, to celebrate and thank the community champions who have helped the group to survive and thrive through the COVID pandemic.
The monthly support group, held at the Portishead Poacher pub on the first Friday of every month between 11am and 1pm, welcomes anyone living with dementia, and their carers.
Many of the drop-in’s regulars are referred to the group by doctors and other health professionals through what is called a ‘social prescription’.
The celebration event took place at the start of Social Prescribing Week (4-10 March 2022) which celebrates and showcases how people’s health and wellbeing can be transformed through social prescribing which helps people access services like this.
A social prescription offers the kind of help that doesn’t come in a tube or a bottle. The idea behind social prescribing is to help people to have more control over their own health and find ways to improve how they feel in a way that suits them.
Pictured above: Group organiser Brenda Birkinshaw (left), Richard Dodds who attends the drop-ins with his wife Viv Dodds (right) with Curo Community Development Coordinator Sue Dixon (front, centre).
Numerous individuals, groups and organisations have come together to make these monthly events possible. These include the local pub who provide a welcoming venue at no cost, the Portishead Dementia Friendly Communities group, housing association Curo, the Alzheimer’s Society, and local charitable organisations who have fundraised for the group.
Curo runs the local Community Connect service which helps to make these connections. Curo Community Development Coordinator Sue Dixon said: “This buzzing dementia-friendly drop-in is a fantastic example of what can happen when the local community, volunteers, health professionals and local businesses come together to support each other.
“We work closely with local GPs and health services who offer patients social prescriptions and we help to link those people with activities that will boost their wellbeing and health. That can be anything from joining a walking group to attending a support group like this dementia drop-in.”
Brenda Birkinshaw, Chair of Portishead Dementia Friendly Communities, said: “The drop-in was an idea that came to fruition three years ago and is now extremely well supported. It was hugely missed through the COVID pandemic and feedback from attendees is that there is a huge need for this type of support for those living with dementia and their carers.
“Those who attend receive information and support from the professionals but most importantly from others who are currently experiencing or have experienced similar issues. We are very grateful to the Poacher staff for their support and all donations we receive from various sources.”
Ann Bye, who regularly attends the group with her partner Lesley Passey, said: “We like the chance to meet with others and share experiences and support. We also like being able to meet with Community Connect as they understand the daily challenges for people living with dementia.”
- Anyone interested in attending the Portishead Dementia Friendly Coffee & Chat group can contact Brenda Birkinshaw on 07896 633900 or just call in when the drop-in is running.
- Find out about Curo's social prescribing service in North Somerset.