Getting Support
Living with dementia can be hard, whether you have a dementia diagnosis yourself, or care for someone who has dementia.
Many people find it helpful to have someone they can talk to who understands dementia and/or is able to help them access services and information that can help.
²gether NHS Foundation Trust (²gether) provides mental and social health care services which includes people with dementia to the population of Gloucestershire. They are based in five different localities, Gloucester, Cheltenham, Forest of Dean, Stroud & Cotswolds.
CPNs and Mental Health Team
Specialist support is provided for people with dementia through the Community Psychiatric Nurses (CPNs) and Mental Health Team. More information is available in our Local Services - Health section.
Support Workers
Guideposts Trust
Guideposts provides a service which is focused on supporting people to take charge of their lives and realise their potential. Services offered include:
- Help sorting benefits and bill payments. Are you struggling to budget effectively?
- Maintaining your tenancy. Is it at risk? Do you want to move?
- Referrals to other agencies for cleaning and shopping.
- Escorting to GP and other health appointments. Prescription, medication collected.
- Help and encourage you to arrange social activities.
- Check health and safety issues.
- Liaise with agencies for aids and adaptations.
- Culture specific health issues.
- Support if you’re coming out of hospital.
Contact Guideposts on 01452 410101 to discuss your needs.
Alzheimer's Society
The Gloucester branch of the society can provide support workers. Call 01452 525222 which is the office in Gloucester to find out more about services available throughout the county.
Age UK (Previously known locally as Age Concern)
A range of services are on offer through the Gloucestershire branch
Bleak House
26 Station Road
Gloucester
GL1 1EW
Email enquiries@ageukglos.org.uk
Website www.ageuk.org.uk/gloucestershire/
Call 01452 422660 to find out more.
Local Support Groups
A Local Support Group can offer a listening ear.
Advocacy
Advocacy is a way of helping people, in partnership, to express their views and wishes, so they can be heard.
Making sure that people listen to what you want to say can be difficult for many reasons. These include embarrassment: not wanting to hurt anyone's feelings: and, being unsure of your rights. This is no different for people with dementia.
What is different is that sometimes it is assumed that people with dementia cannot make choices or do not know what they want. But, if given time, clear information and the chance to say what they want, many people can express their wishes and play their part in making informed decisions. This is where an advocate can help.
Organisations which can provide financial advice and guidance for the carers of people with dementia.
The Citizens Advice is a national organisation with local branches
Independent - it will always act in the interest of its clients, without influence from any outside bodies. Impartial - no judgements or assumptions are made about its clients. Its service is open to everyone, and it treats everyone equally. Confidential - it won't pass on anything a client says or even the fact that they've visited - without their permission. Free - no one has to pay for any part of the service provided. CAB advisors, most of whom are trained volunteers, can:
- interview clients face-to-face and by telephone to find out what the problem is
- access our regularly updated electronic information database for up-to-the minute information
- help clients to negotiate with companies or service providers such as creditors or to appeal against decisions, for example, social security benefit claims
- write letters or telephone companies and service providers on behalf of clients
- help clients to prioritise their problems, for example, to sort out which debts are most important
- help clients with form filling, for example, to claim benefits
- represent clients in court and at tribunals
- refer clients to CAB specialist caseworkers for complex problems or to other agencies when appropriate
There is an online advice service with answers to frequently asked questions and some factsheets which you can download.
A quick guide to CAB in Gloucestershire
Gloucester and District CAB
75-81 Eastgate Street,
Gloucester,
GL1 1PN
Tel: 01452 527202
Email: bureau@gloucestercab.cabnet.org.uk
Mon & Fri 9:30 – 12:30
Tues 13:00 – 15:30
Wed 13:00 – 16:30
Thurs 9:30 – 13:00
Stroud and District CAB
Unit 8 1st Floor Brunel Mall,
London Road,
Stroud,
GL5 2BP
Tel: 08444 111444
Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri 10:00 – 14:00
Cheltenham CAB
6 St James Square,
Cheltenham,
GL50 3PR
Tel: 01242 522491
Mon – Fri 9:00 – 15:00
Dursley CAB
The New Library,
May Lane,
Dursley,
GL11 4JE
Mon 10:00 – 12:00 and 13:00 – 16:00
Fri 10:00 – 12:00
Tewksbury CAB
Tewksbury Borough Council Offices
Gloucester Road,
Tewksbury,
GL20 5TT
Tel: 01242 522491
Mon, Tues & Thurs 10:00 – 12:00
Newent CAB
The Library,
Newent,
GL18 1AS
Tues 10:00 – 15:30
Cirencester CAB
2-3 The Mews,
Cricklade Street,
Cirencester,
GL7 1HY
Tel: 01285 652908
Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri 10:00 – 16:00
Tetbury CAB
Town Council Office,
63 Long Street,
Tetbury,
GL8 8AA
Tel: 01666 504523
Mon 9:30 – 12:30
Forest of Dean CAB
St Annalls House,
Belle Vue Centre,
Belle Vue Road,
Cinderford,
GL14 2AB
Tel: 01594 823937
Mon 10:00 – 12:30 and 13:30 – 16:00
Wed 10:00 – 12:30
Thurs 10:00 – 12:30 and 13:30 – 16:00
Lydney CAB
The Health Centre,
Albert Street,
Lydney,
GL15 5NQ
Tel: 01594 823937
Tues 10:00 – 12:30 and 13:45 – 16:00
Wotton Under Edge CAB
Civic Centre,
Gloucester Street,
Wotton Under Edge,
GL12 7DN
Tues 10:00 – 13:00
South Gloucestershire CAB
Kennedy Way,
Yate,
BS37 4DQ
Tel: 08444 111 444
Mon & Fri 10:00 – 13:00
Tues 10:00 – 12:00 and 13:00 – 15:00
Thornbury CAB
The Old Police Station,
35 High Street,
Thornbury,
BS35 2AR
Tel: 08444 111 444
Tues & Thurs 10:00 – 13:00
Supporting Care Rights / Making a Complaint
If you need support to help you access care rights, or to make a complaint about hospital treatment, there are organisations who can help and support you. Details are in our Care Rights and Complaints section.
More information www.justice.gov.uk/about/human-rights.
Supporting People from Ethnic Minorities
A number of groups and organisations exist to support people whose first language is not English, or who have distinct religious or cultural needs:
Milan Group
Asian women's Carers Group. Please contact Shamim Kholwadia on 01452 872240 or email skholwadia@carersgloucestershire.org.uk for further details.
Ebony Carers
For all Carers from the African Caribbean community. Contact Carol Sterling on 01452 426018.
Glos
(The Race Equality Council for Gloucestershire) is a charity. It works towards the elimination of racial discrimination in all forms so that members of all communities in Gloucestershire can enjoy freedom from the injustice of racial discrimination. Contact 01452 301290.
Dhek Bhal
Dhek Bhal is a voluntary organisation that works and campaigns with and for South Asian people to promote their health and social wellbeing in Bristol and South Gloucestershire through a range of services which include:-
- Respite breaks
- Day care
- Self help
- Advocacy activities
Contact 0117 9146671/9548885 for further information about these services.
