'Safe and social' dementia support group can keep running

Dementia Jersey has been awarded a further three-year contract by Health and Care Jersey to continue to deliver its successful Meeting Place Project.

Launched in 2021, the Meeting Place Project is a weekly group for people with mild symptoms and a diagnosis of dementia.

The sessions include Tai Chi and talks by experts on a range of health and non-health related topics, and are place for patients to share their experiences and play brain stimulating games.

The new contract with HCJ means Dementia Jersey can continue to provide its Meeting Place Project in St Helier and St Clement. The charity also offers groups in St Martin, St Brelade and St Ouen.

The sessions include light exercise, including Tai Chi

Ally Cordery's Godfather attends the group after receiving his diagnosis.

She says it has changed their view of dementia, which previously felt like a 'monster in the corner'.

"He benefits hugely from the safe environment and socialising.

"He has never attended company Christmas parties during his 40 years of employment, but he went along to the Christmas party at Dementia Jersey and thoroughly enjoyed it

"He's still able to tell me lots of things that they do. They have speakers in who talk to them, not only about dementia, but also things like history with somebody from Jersey Archive.

"It's about challenging the mind, but also bonding them as a group and accepting that this is where they are. 

"It's somewhere for him to go where I know he's safe and happy, and he can talk about anything he's worried about away from me. 

"You can't always share things with people you're close to, and I think it's important that he's got another outlet where he can ask a question if he needs to."

The government says the Meeting Place Project embodies its aims to support islanders to live a healthier, active and longer life.

Health Minister Tom Binet said: 

"When we published the Dementia Strategy and its Implementation Plan last year, we were clear that we wanted to ensure that Islanders living with dementia and their families have access to the care and support that they deserve.

“I’m delighted that Dementia Jersey will continue to provide these sessions as we know that The Meeting Place Project provides invaluable support for Islanders as they navigate their diagnosis.”

Claudine Snape, Dementia Jersey CEO, said the charity is proud to continue its vital work and that the renewed funding will ensure people living with dementia can access the help they need.