Dementia

First Contact Team - Single Point of Access (SPOA)
By telephoning just one number you will be able to speak to someone about community health, well-being and care services.  You will be able to get information, advice, assistance, assessment and co-ordinated care from this number.

If you prefer you will also be able to get information and make contact through the website and by email.
Whether you are making contact about yourself, a person you help to care for or someone you have concerns about, the Single Point of Access will be there to listen and help you. 

If they can’t help you themselves, they will put you in contact with someone who can (18 years +) and the services available in the statutory and third sector.

Tel:  03000 858 858
E-mail:  SSDUTY@flintshire.gov.uk 
Out of hours number is:  0845 0533116. 

Dementia Friendly Communities and Networks
To date, Flintshire has 7 Dementia Friendly Communities:

• Flint Dementia Friendly Community Facebook page
• Buckley Dementia Friendly Community Facebook page
• Mold Dementia Friendly Community Facebook page
• Deeside Dementia Friendly Community Facebook page
• Holywell Age and Dementia Friendly Community Facebook page
• Saltney Dementia Friendly Community
• Alyn Villages Dementia Friendly Community
• North Wales Dementia Network has been created to enable communities, organisations, businesses and groups to share information, examples of good practice, research, and details of community activities and events across North Wales
• DEEP in Deeside has been set up enable people living with dementia and their carers to meet in an informal, social atmosphere.

Dementia Friendly Organisations, Businesses and Schools

Flintshire Memory Cafes
Memory Cafes are as social gathering where people with memory loss and their carers can come together in a safe and supportive environment.  Guests can share conversation over a cup of tea in a relaxed atmosphere that sometimes includes music, art or other forms of entertainment. Memory Café’s are held in Mold, Buckley, Flint, Holywell, Mostyn, Garden City, Saltney, Connah’s Quay and Northop.

For an up to date calendar of café’s please contact Luke Pickering-Jones at Newcis on 01352 752525 or email: luke@newcis.org.uk

Flintshire Sounds
Flintshire Sounds is a weekly musical experience for people over 65 with memory problems or dementia to come along to with their carers, family or friends.  People will be able to sing, play simple percussion instruments and be encouraged to move and dance wherever appropriate.  It is a chance to reminisce, make new friends, build new memories and enjoy a shared experience with carers, families and friends. 

Flintshire sounds takes place in Llys Jasmine on Tuesdays, Llys Eleanor on Wednesdays and St Peters Church, Holywell on Thursdays.  *Booking Essential*  To book contact: Susan Huxley 01352 702521. 

A friendly face
For anyone affected by dementia, who wants to talk to someone living with dementia.
A Friendly Face is run by volunteers with a diagnosis of dementia. Please feel free to call anytime for a chat. If there is no answer, please leave a message and we will get back to you, or you can ring one of the other numbers.
Email: friendlyfacewales@gmail.com

Adult Safeguarding
Where it appears that an adult is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing abuse or neglect, the Council has a legal responsibility to undertake enquiries to determine whether this is the case and to formulate a response to ensure that the adult is protected. 

Staff and members of the public can contact Social Services for advice, or you can call 999 to contact the Police directly if you think that a crime has been committed or someone is in immediate danger.  During office hours please contact Social Services on 01352 803444 or North Wales Police 101.  If you are concerned that an older person is being abused you can also contact the Action on Elder Abuse support line on 0808 808 8141 or Age Connects North East Wales on 08450 549969. 

Out of hours contact the Police on 101 or in emergency call 999.

Ageing Well in Flintshire – Summary Action Plan
The Ageing Well in Flintshire Action Plan identifies what needs to be done and by whom, to make growing older in Flintshire a good place to be.

Alzheimer’s Society Cymru
Find out more about Alzheimer's Society Cymru and get resources about dementia in Welsh 

Dementia Supporting Communities Resource Hub
On this page you'll find handy guides and tools to support you in making your community more dementia friendly, and links to websites and organisations to help you.

Dewis Cymru
Dewis Cymru is a website that has been developed to help people find information about organisations and services that can help them take control of their own well-being.  It’s got information that can help you think about what matters to you, and it’s also got information about people and services in your area that can help you with the things that matter to you. 

Flintshire Connects
Flintshire Connects brings together Flintshire County Council, North Wales Police, Job Centre Plus and other partner organisations, to deliver high quality customer focused services to the public and vulnerable individuals in our comunity that find it difficult to access services online or by phone.

At Flintshire Connects, you can speak to one of our trained Customer Service Advisors about a range of Council services.

Flintshire Connects centres are located in Buckley, Connah's Quay, Flint, Holywell and Mold.

Older People’s Commissioner for Wales
The Older People’s Commissioner for Wales protects and promotes the rights of older people throughout Wales, scrutinising and influencing a wide range of policy and practice to improve their lives.  She provides help and support directly to older people through her casework team and works to empower older people and ensure that their voices are heard and acted upon.  The Commissioner’s role is underpinned by a set of unique legal powers to support her in reviewing the work of public bodies and holding them to account when necessary.

Telecare
A range of Telecare equipment is available to support independence.  Telecare equipment can be linked to a 24 hour monitoring service or through to a mobile phone or carer alert system.  Whatever your situation, help can be called. 

The Telecare equipment is available following an assessment to anyone who lives in Flintshire and feels it may make a difference to their lives.  There is a one off payment of £25 plus VAT for the installation.  Also there is a monitoring charge of £2.20 plus VAT a week.

For more information contact 01352 803444 or e-mail: spoa@flintshire.gov.uk  

Wales Dementia Helpline
The helpline offers emotional support to anyone, of any age, who is caring for someone with Dementia as well as other family members or friends.

The service will also help and support those who have been diagnosed with Dementia.

Tel: 0808 808 2235

Herbert Protocol 
The aim of the scheme is to help keep people who are living with dementia safe, particularly if, as their condition progresses they start to 'walk about' which is not unusual following diagnosis.  Often people will only travel a short distance, maybe into the garden or down the street and will return a short time later.  However, some people can get lost and go missing.  This can lead to feelings of confusion, fear and vulnerability for individuals and their families, particularly at night time or in inclement weather conditions.

The Herbert Protocol is designed to assist in locating individuals safe and well should they go missing, and provide reassurance to family and friends that the police have all the information they need to help locate the individual.  The Herbert Protocol is a national initiative adopted by North Wales Police, as well as many other police forces around the UK. 

Neighbourhood Wardens
The Wardens provide and fit target hardening equipment to residents living in Flintshire who have been the victims of crime, or are deemed ‘vulnerable’.  They also visit members of the community to provide safety advice and reassurance, upon request.  Referrals for this service can be made direct to the Wardens or via Neighbourhood Watch. 

Referrals for generic target hardening, anti vandal painting, cycle marking and patrols can be made directly on 01352 701818.

Trading Standards
Advice on your consumer rights, avoiding scams and doorstep crime, product safety and money lending. 

Aura Leisure and Libraries 
Aura aims to improve the quality of life for customers through the provision of popular culture and leisure opportunities that improve mental health and physical well-being.

Aura have been a Dementia Friendly Organisation since June 2019, meaning staff have been trained to be more dementia aware and are working to introduce Dementia Friendly activities.  For more information, please contact Aura

Aura Wales facilitates the Aura Plus One Card for Flinltshire County Council it allows a carer to accompany a person wiith disabilities to leisure activites free of charge.  Go to Aura to register for your own Aura Plus One Card!

Theatr Clwyd – Relaxed Performances
Relaxed Performances are for adults and children with Autism, Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Learning Disabilities and Sensory and Communication Disorders.  These performances are adjusted to make the experience less stressful and more enjoyable.
Typically changes will include:

• House Lights not being lowered as much as usual
• Volume reduction
• Removal of some special effects
• Adjustments to the script
• No restriction on coming and going during the performance
• A designated chill-out area/room

Tickets are priced at £15 (concessions available).  To book please call the Box Office on 01352 701521.  Please note that to ensure these tickets are used only by theatregoers who require a Relaxed Performance they will not be available via online sales. 

If you are looking after someone who is unable to look after themselves because of illness, disability or the effects of ageing and you are providing substantial unpaid care to that person, then you are a Carer.

Services to support you in your caring role include:

• Providing advice and information
• Directing you to voluntary organisations that provide grants and support for carers
• Assistance with gardening, cleaning or purchase of equipment
• Providing a break from caring
• Re-assessing the support provided to the person you care for to ensure your own assessed needs are met

Whilst some services can be arranged directly with a voluntary organisation, many are provided following a Carer Needs Assessment which helps to identify what your needs are and what services can be provided to support you.

Carers Emergency Card Flintshire – British Red Cross
Flintshire Carer's Cards are issued to carers to enable them to have peace of mind that the person they care for will be looked after should something happen to them.  It is a small wallet / pocket sized card on which you can put contact numbers of who to contact regarding your cared for person should an emergency occur.  Telephone: 01745 828330.

Carer Discounts
There are many offers, benefits and discounts available exclusively for carers and people with care needs.  Many attractions offer free entry for carers with the person they care for - including National Trust, Chester Zoo and the Cinema.  You will need to present proof of disability (DLA/PIP/Blue Badge) for the discount.

Carers in Flintshire
This list is compiled by NEWCIS and Flintshire County Council Social Services.  It shows some of the help available for unpaid carers.  A carer is anyone looking after a family member or friend, who because of a long term illness, disability, mental health problem or addiction cannot manage without this support.  Contact NEWCIS on 01352 752525 for more information.

Essential Carer Guide
This document contains details of useful services and information on a Carer’s Assessments and how to access them. 

Blue Badge
The Blue Badge Scheme is designed to give registered blind people and those who may have a cognitive impairment or who are unable or virtually unable to walk the ability to park close to the facilities and services they need to use, so as to improve their lifestyle, independence and freedom of choice.

Community Ring & Ride Service
This is a door-to-door service using cars or minibuses for individuals who are either unable or find it difficult to use or access mainstream transport services and need to travel to their GP surgery or other health related appointments (e.g. dentist/optician).

To make an application to be a member of the Community Ring & Ride Service please contact our Streetscene Contact Centre: Tel 01352 701234 (between the 08.30am until 17.00pm Monday-Friday)

Flintshire Community Travel
Community Transport is a safe, accessible, cost-effective and flexible form of transport.  It can be developed to directly address gaps in public transport provision and create noticeable and lasting social and economic benefits.

Community Transport is of particular value to people who, for a variety of reasons do not have access to a car or public transport.  It also provides a lifeline in both rural and urban areas, catering for a variety of needs and situations.

As part of the scheme five areas have broadly been identified where an alternative transport provision, in the form of Community Transport, needs to be developed or there is a gap in the current provision or there may be in the future.  These are:

• East Flintshire (Higher Kinnerton-Bretton-Broughton)
• Central Flintshire (Penyffordd-Buckley and Argoed-Buckley)
• Deeside (Northop Hall-Connah’s Quay)
• Holywell (Brynford, Trelawynyd & Gwaenysgor, Carmel & Whitford, Greenfield, Holywell)
• South & West Flintshire (Llanfynydd-Treuddyn-Leeswood-Mold and Broughton)

For further information please contact 01352 701234 or email: streetscene@flintshire.gov.uk  

Alternatively, you may wish to visit Flintshire Connects.  

Assisted Bin Collection
If you are elderly or have a disability or medical condition and find it difficult to take your bins / recycling to the kerbside you can apply for help (referred to as an assisted collection).  Our crew can collect the bins and containers from an agreed location on your property, empty them and return them to the same point.

These collections are only available to residents in genuine need where there is no able-bodied person living at the address who could present the bins or containers at the kerbside for collection.  Please call Streetscene on 01352 701234 or email: streetscene@flintshire.gov.uk  

Alternatively, you may wish to visit Flintshire Connects. 

Council Tax Reductions
Council Tax discounts can be awarded for those taxpayers living with dementia.  The Martin Lewis Money Team have also been commissioned to draft a standard application form that has now been adopted by the 22 Local Authorities across Wales. 

This has led to an increase in the number of enquiries and we're pleased to say an increase in the number in applications being awarded.

To find out if you’re eligible, please contact the Benefits Team on 01352 704848 or email: benefits@flintshire.gov.uk 

Alternatively, you may wish to visit Flintshire Connects.  

Syd's Place
Syd's Place, Croes Atti Centre in Fflint is open to anyone with a diagnosis of young onset dementia, and supports people to have a meaningful and varied programme of activities and outings, and opportunities that aim to promote and maintain independence and skills.  People also benefit from the social contact and emotional support of being with people in similar situations.  For more information, please contact the Syd's Place on 01352 732982. 

NEWCIS – Bridging the Gap
Bridging the Gap Respite Scheme was launched in April 2013 to give carers choice and options about who could provide them care at a time and day that they needed it.  The scheme also made provision for times of emergency/crisis and allowed  for a quick and flexibile approached to delivering a service when carers needed it most. 

Respite support with PSS

TRIO
The TRIO service in Wales is for those with memory impairment.  Two or three people are matched based on similar interests, personalities and what they enjoy doing most.  They are then matched with a PSS specially-trained Shared Lives Carers who’ll meet them both and find out what they enjoy doing, supporting them to get out and live their lives to the full over a 6 hour arrangement, once a week.  

Short Breaks
On a short break arrangements, a person can stay in the home of a Shared Lives Carer from one night to several weeks.  Once a match is made Shared Lives Carers can be on hand for planned respite.

Speak to your Social Worker about access to these opportunities. 

We have made commitments as part of our Council Plan and now our Dementia Friendly Council Action Plan to the following over the next 12 months.  Many of the actions are already underway.

 Aim 1: Children, young people and Students

• Map the schools who have currently achieved recognition as ‘Working Towards Becoming Dementia Friendly’
• Work with local Dementia Friendly Communities to develop intergenerational projects
• Explore how the Dementia Friendly Schools Programme can link with the Healthy Schools Programme
• Support School Governors to access Dementia Awareness sessions 

Aim 2: Community Voluntary, faith groups and organisations:

• Increase the number of Dementia Friendly Communities in Flintshire
• Link the Council and Dementia Friendly Communities together so we can develop joint actions
• Develop information of support services available to those living with dementia and their carers and host on Flintshire’s website, including an interactive map of dementia friendly location
• Pilot an innovative community based respite option for people living with dementia, including young onset 

Aim 3: Transport

• Support the delivery of dementia awareness sessions with transport providers
• Promote Community Transport Scheme
• Develop the provision of transport for Memory Cafes 

Aim 4: A Dementia Friendly Workforce

• Increase the awareness of dementia with staff across portfolios
• Explore dementia awareness as part of staff induction
• Enable staff to record their dementia awareness on their electronic staff file