Trafford and Wigan councils have come together with Dementia United and GreaterSport to fund an exciting piece of work which will empower community groups, businesses and leisure providers to support people living with cognitive impairment and dementia in their communities.

We know that keeping our brains healthy can reduce our risk of developing dementia, but we also believe that efforts to maintain brain health for those living with dementia could help them live a more independent life for longer.

A dementia diagnosis can bring with it many changes and challenges. But arguably one of the hardest challenges is the isolation that can come with loss of confidence and difficulties accessing community resources – whether that’s accessing a leisure centre for a morning swim, visiting a local art group, or having a nice meal out.

There is growing evidence to suggest that art, music and leisure activities can offer physical and psychological benefits to those living with a dementia and their care partners, benefits which can improve their brain health and help them maintain independence for longer https://arts4dementia.org.uk/sp/.

Working in partnership, Made by Mortals and Together Dementia Support have developed an immersive training experience co-produced and shaped by people living with dementia and their care partners.

This resource has been developed through several workshops alongside people with lived experience of dementia and provides an honest, and at points raw, reflection of the challenges and barriers they face when trying to access community and leisure services in their local areas. It also provides helpful information on how businesses and community providers can become more dementia friendly, encouraging and supporting workshop attendees to make the changes necessary to facilitate people living with dementia to reconnect with their local communities.

The complete training package can be accessed here. This resource includes an immersive audio experience and PDF training materials.

We are delighted to support this work, helping to enable the leisure workforce across Greater Manchester to feel more confident in providing a dementia inclusive physical activity service. GreaterSport

Dementia United are currently seeking expressions of interest from localities who would like to work with us to coordinate a train the trainer package for their communities, this will include a 3 to 4-hour workshop hosted by instructors with significant training and dementia experience and individuals who have lived experience of dementia.