"Currently it is estimated that almost 8,000 people in the Northern Beaches live with dementia. In the area it is expected to grow by 38% by 2050 and almost 150% in Pittwater alone. It is imperative that we act now, to develop communities that are safe and supportive for people living with dementia.
On behalf of Your Side, it is my pleasure to announce the Northern Beaches Dementia-Friendly Communities Project. As a valued community member and professional, I would like to invite you to be part of this project.
Your Side will be working in collaboration with the Northern Beaches Council, advocacy groups, community organisations, service providers and local community members to develop an action plan and work towards becoming-dementia friendly in the Northern Beaches.
The first step in working towards becoming dementia-friendly is to establish a working group, made up of primary health care, service providers, community groups, local businesses, community members, people living with dementia and their carers.This working group will meet bi-monthly in the evening to discuss the project action plan including the facilitation of an open community forum later this year.
The Northern Beaches project and working group will be governed by an alliance of 8-10 core members who will be selected on the basis of expertise relevant to the project. We are particularly interested in skills and experience in the following areas:
- Aged or dementia care experience
- Governance and financial management expertise
- Experience working with diverse population groups including CALD groups, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations and the LGBTI community.
- Lived experience of dementia
- Community engagement and project management
This alliance will meet monthly to determine the next steps in the Northern Beaches project including implementing inter-generational and community education programs and well as music therapy for people living with dementia.
For more information, please see the fact sheet prepared by Dementia Australia or go to the Dementia Friendly Communities web page.
There are a number of ways you can be involved with this project.
1. Register your expression of interest
2. Forward this invitation to colleagues, staff, members or clients who may be interested in partnering with us."
This message was received by email from Ilsa Bird, who described her position as Sector Support Coordinator, Northern Beaches Dementia-Friendly Communities Project Manager. Are any club members motivated enough to respond and liaise, if appropriate, with the Club Committee?
