Understand Together August update

29/08/2025 Age Friendly Ireland | National

Save the Date

With the network of community champions growing, we will be hosting the next Community Champion – Lite-Bite session on 1^st October 2025 from 12.30-1.30pm (Online). Please save the date and if you are interested in joining email: . Further information will be shared shortly.

Communities:

Bantry: The first steering group meeting of the West Cork Dementia Inclusive project takes place on the 25^th of August building on the work of the Bantry Alliance.
- A talk takes place in Bantry library on the 4^th September at 11.00am on- Forget me not: how nature can improve the quality of life for people with dementia – all welcome
- The Memory Café is still running on the 1^st Wednesday of each month, this month’s topic was modifying therapies in Alzheimer’s Disease delivered by Teresa Bohane, Advanced Nurse Practitioner.
Cork County Council library and arts service launched “Come sit a While” a collection of dementia-inclusive stories for shared reading with was launched at the Bantry West Cork Festival. Download ‘Come Sit A While’ HERE

Leitrim (Mohill): The historical old station house is undergoing renovations, ensuring that it is dementia inclusive. This will become a community building with space available for community groups. The Enterprise Centre is continuing to become inclusive with new signage in place.
Sligo (Tubbercurry): A dementia awareness evening will be held in Tubbercurry on the 4^th of September at 7.15pm. The conversations 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 on guest speakers & information stands can be found in the attached flyer.
South Dublin (Tallaght): Café Memoir is running again on Wednesday September 3^rd from 3 – 5pm in Tallaght Library. If you wish to know more please email:
Westmeath ( Kilbeggan): The next Cosy Café takes place on the 9^th of September in Kilbeggan Parish Centre from 11.00am to 1pm. For further information email:
Wicklow (Laragh): A new Dementia Cafe will be opening on Friday October 10^th in Laragh in Co. Wicklow. For more information, see their Facebook page: Laragh Memory Café. To find out about Dementia Cafes in your area, check out the new Café Finder here: https://dementiacafe.ie/cafe-finder/

Partner Organisations:

Transport: Iarnród Éireann continue to take actions to make their stations and travel booking service more accessible. They are looking at a digital solution to replace the current manual process for accessibility assistance requests. You can take the online survey here: Survey: Irish Rail Customer Assistance Portal
Photo Museum Ireland: A dementia inclusive tour will be held on the 15^th of September from 1.00pm to 3.00pm. This is a free experience designed for a person living with dementia and their families, friends and carer’s. To find out more go to: https://photomuseumireland.ie/event_workshop/azure-dementia-inclusive-tour-6/ or email
The Alzheimer Society of Ireland & Dementia Information and Service Development Centre: Creating a Dementia Inclusive Generation is an award-winning youth education programme from the Alzheimer Society of Ireland (ASI), now officially recognised as a TY micro-module by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA). Through three engaging phases, including the online course The Brain: From the Fantastic to the Forgetful (created in collaboration with the Dementia Service Information and Development Centre ((DSiDC)) peer education, and community engagement, students explore brain health, dementia awareness, and empathy. The programme empowers young people to teach their peers, support their communities, and earn two elements of their Bronze Gaisce Award. With over 3,000 students already involved and 100 schools se to be involved for the year ahead, this initiative is shaping a more informed and inclusive generation. It’s easy to get involved simply contact the National Activities Coordinator of the ASI Alison McCarthy at alison.mccarthy@@alzheimer.ie giving her your school or youth group details and how many students you would like to get involved. For more information check out Creating a Dementia Inclusive Generation – Alzheimer

Upcoming events & Conferences:

Dementia Services & Information Centre ( DSIDC): Are holding an education day on advanced healthcare planning in the MISA Building in St. James’s on Friday 12^th of September from 9.30-4.30pm, specifically to meet the needs of health and social care professionals. Highlights are updates on the Decision Making Capacity Act. To register please go to: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/advanced-healthcare-planning-day-tickets-1427878606349
DSIDC: Dementia Awareness day takes place in the MISA building on 29^th of September from 10.00am to 2.00pm, targeted at health & social care professionals, to gain a better understanding of dementia and how it affects people in their day to day lives. Further information in the attached flyer. Email:
Engaging Dementia and the IMMA Azure Programme Workshops: Engaging Dementia have teamed up with IMMA’s Azure Programme to offer a series of Online Art Tours — a creative and engaging way to stay connected. These virtual tours which are designed for people living with dementia, their families, carers, and supporters, offer a gentle and inclusive way to explore and enjoy art from the comfort of home. To find out more contact:
Dementia Inclusive Gardening Workshop: Engaging Dementia will be running an online Dementia Inclusive Gardening Workshop on Friday October 3^rd. To book in for the course or if you are looking for more details, contact
Save the Date – The Annual International Dementia Conference (Engaging Dementia): will take place on May 13th and 14th, 2026, this will be held in Athlone, Co. Westmeath.

News:

Student Danielle Holland developed a child friendly leaflet to help explain dementia and support children in maintaining meaningful relationships with a person living with dementia. Danielle presented her work at the Engaging Dementia Conference and recently spoke on Ireland AM with Engaging Dementia CEO Kim Tully to promote this great resource which is available here: https://engagingdementia.ie/resources/