Dementia: Understand Together – Dementia Inclusive Community – What’s happening in February

Harbour Friends Programme:

We are delighted to share with you the video the Harbour Friends programme, which is a co-creation between the Memory Harbour MTRR in South Dublin and clients affected by Younger Onset Dementia.

The video provides a snapshot of the work they have been doing with clients affected by Younger Onset Dementia over the past two years.

The Harbour Friends programme focusses on social connection, brain health activities, engagement in meaningful and creative occupations and provides a safe space for clients to meet others affected by Younger Onset Dementia.

National Partners:

• Parkrun Ireland Keeping up with hobbies and interests, being physically and socially active, can make a big difference to your brain health and overall wellbeing, and also to people affected by dementia and their families. A new ‘Your parkrun and dementia’ manual is now available to order free of charge or download from www.healthpromotion.ie (please select dementia from the drop-down menu).
• Tennis Ireland – staff members and coaches participated in a recent dementia awareness training provided by the Alzheimer Society of Ireland training team where we spoke about dementia, the different types and how they can affect a person, and the importance of social and physical activity for people with dementia.
• Irish Rail introduced a Quieter Coach Dublin to Cork Mark IV locomotive fleet. The Quieter carriage (carriage G) is bookable online and the carriage is clearly marked with purple branding when booking online and on the outside of the carriage when boarding the train. For more details please see the Irish Rail website FAQ section or Quieter carriage news story

• Travel assistance: To book assistance on Intercity services you can contact the Call Centre: 0818294015. Call Centre Opening Hours are as follows:  7am to 7pm, Monday to Friday and 8am to 6pm, Saturdays and 10am to 6pm, Sundays and Bank Holidays. To book assistance on DART and Commuter services, please contact your local station here

• The Alzheimer Society of Ireland Family Carer Training Courses: The Alzheimer Society of Ireland have a range of face to face weekly training courses for family carers supporting a loved one with dementia taking place in Carlow, Cavan, Dublin, Kilkenny, Galway, Meath and Sligo starting in January and February. To register or review the online course options that are also available, please visit https://alzheimer.ie/services-in-your-county/?service%5B%5D=ODA%3D&search_go=Go or call 1800 341 341

Communities:

• North Cork Dementia Alliance is supporting Kanturk & Charleville to learn more about dementia inclusive communities. As part of this initiative they are holding Free online dementia awareness training for people, businesses and organisations on 12^th February 2025 from 10 – 11am.  To register email

• Carrigaline, Cork: Dementia Care Co-ordinator services hold the “Thyme for Kindness Café” on the first Tuesday of each month in Carrigaline Day Care Centre from 1.30 to 3.30pm – contact 021 4923998 for further information.
• Leitrim: the Dementia Alliance in Leitrim will hold a dementia awareness event in Mohill on February 27^th at 7pm. The discussion will be on dementia risk factors, such as social isolation, the importance of community engagement and the things we can all do to be inclusive and welcoming.  Further information will be issued regarding venue.
• South County Dublin: Ballyroan continue their community dementia inclusive work. The Cara café is now fully established with a list of dates issued for the year taking place in Ballyroan Community & Youth centre, the 2^nd Tuesday of each month. Information at: phone: 086 1763026
• Sligo: The Alzheimer Society of Ireland are holding a dementia inclusive community event in The Sligo Park hotel on Tuesday 11^th February 2025 @7pm. Details below.

Conference & Events:

• Let’s Talk Dementia Webinar was organised by HSE Healthy Ireland Office and the HSE National Dementia Services. If you would like to revisit the content, or were unable to join, the recorded webinar is now available and you can access the full recording here.
• Engaging Dementia The 17th International Dementia Conference will take place on the 7th & 8th of May 2025 in The Athlone Springs Hotel in Co. Roscommon. The theme this year will be ‘Bridging Worlds in Dementia Care: Connecting Global Perspectives and Local Solutions’. If you would like to be part of the conference, you can complete the abstract application form. https://engagingdementia.ie/16thidc-call_for_abstracts-2/
• Solstice Arts Centre in Navan, Co. Meath exhibition coming up called Moments of Being which will be running from Sat 18 Jan – Sat 15 March. Free guided exhibition tours are designed to support people living with dementia and their family, friends or professional carers. Contact Deirdre on 046 9092300 or

National Lottery Grant Scheme:

The HSE has been allocated National Lottery funding for distribution, under the respite grant scheme. The HSE invites community groups and voluntary organisations to apply www.hse.ie\lotterygrants