Hello {{first_name}}

In this month’s newsletter…

1. Welcome message from our CEO, Sally

2. Our July highlights

3. Important Information for TDS Members

4. Sign Up for the Together Trail 2026!

5. Have Your Say on the Future of Social Care

6. Free Carers' ID Card Now Available

7. Planning for the Future – Share Your Views

8. Dates for Your Diary: Upcoming TDS Events

9. Recommendation: Helping Handle for Cars

Welcome Message from our CEO, Sally

Welcome to our August newsletter! It will show you some lovely events that took place in July and let you know about open groups and Cafes that you can attend this month – and then our trip to Cleveleys (next to Blackpool) in September. We really hope you’ll book on and have a nice day by the sea. If your relative is into cricket, please see the special dementia-friendly cricket day at Old Trafford, and consider booking – it’s organised by Dementia Adventure and is free!

Do you like change? Change can be unwelcome and difficult especially because we all have in common the devastating impact of dementia and the loss that it brings. But is there anything we can each change in the midst of all that – something that might make a small positive difference. I recently arranged a meeting with my parents’ care agency so that my Mum could voice her unhappiness about the care package. It was actually a positive experience and my Mum is (for now) more accepting of the care. One of you told me about a Carefree break you took. Although you were still doing paid work tasks from your hotel room, you still benefitted from the change of scenery. 

Andy Burnham is certainly inspiring me with his many ideas and proposals for change. So perhaps let’s each see if we can think of something we can do to make a positive change.

Our August Highlights:

TDS Members enjoy a day out to RHS Bridgewater

TDS Carers enjoying a meal at a recent carers social

• A Day Out at RHS Bridgewater Garden

  Members of our Wythenshawe Friendship & Activity Group enjoyed a wonderful day out at RHS Garden Bridgewater, taking in the beautiful gardens, fresh air and good company. Days like these provide valuable opportunities to socialise, stay active and make new memories together. It was lovely to see so many smiling faces enjoying the sunshine. 

• Carers' Summer Social 

  Our annual Carers' Summer Social brought carers together for a relaxed evening of good food, conversation and support. As Jo, one of our team, said: "Friendships made, stories shared & ideas for carers meet-ups discussed." Paula added: "Such a lovely night, the food looked great and the restaurant owner was so welcoming." Thank you to everyone who came along and made it such a special evening.

•  Stephen Raises Over £2,200 in Memory of His Nan

  A huge congratulations and thank you to Stephen, who raised an incredible £2,286 by completing the Great North Swim in memory of his beloved nan, Alma. Stephen chose to support Together Dementia Support because he wanted his fundraising to make a real difference to local people living with dementia and their families. Thank you, Stephen, for your amazing achievement and for helping us continue to provide vital dementia support across Manchester.

Important Information for TDS Members

Many of our members and carers will recently have received a letter via email about changes to Together Dementia Support's attendance fees and transport charges, which will come into effect from 1^st September 2026.

Like many charities, we've seen a significant increase in the cost of delivering our services, while demand for dementia support across Manchester continues to grow. These changes have been carefully considered and will help ensure we can continue providing our specialist groups, activities and one-to-one support for years to come.

If you haven't already done so, please read your letter carefully, as it contains important information about the new charges, eligibility for the reduced attendance fee, and what you need to do if you receive qualifying means-tested benefits. If you think you may be eligible for the reduced rate, please remember to submit your evidence by 31^st August 2026.

If you have any questions about the changes, payments or applying for the reduced rate, please contact Rachael directly using the details provided in your letter.

Sign Up For Our Together Trail 2026

There's still time to sign up for the Together Trail 2026! Join us on Saturday 12th September at Wythenshawe Park for a fun sponsored walk to raise money for local people living with dementia and their carers.

Choose to walk one 2.2km lap or complete as many as you'd like at your own pace. Whether you're taking part in memory of a loved one, with family and friends, or simply to support Together Dementia Support, every step you take will make a difference.

Registration is free, and we ask everyone taking part to aim to raise £100. Raise £50, and you'll receive an official Together Trail T-shirt, and raise £100 to earn your Together Trail medal.

We'd love to see you there!

Have Your Say On The Future of Social Care

A The Government has made social care reform a key priority, and an important new national conversation is now underway. Baroness Louise Casey has launched The Big Conversation on Care, inviting people across England to help shape the future of adult social care and a proposed National Care Service.

Over the coming months, the public will be asked to share their views on some of the biggest questions facing social care, including who should be eligible for support, what role families should play, and how care should be funded fairly and sustainably. The consultation aims to hear from one million people before recommendations are presented to the Government in 2027.

At Together Dementia Support, we welcome this opportunity for people living with dementia, carers and families to have their voices heard. We know how vital high-quality social care and community-based dementia support are, and we hope this conversation leads to lasting improvements for everyone who relies on these services.

Free Carers’ ID Card Now Available

Carers Manchester has launched a new free digital Carers' ID Card for unpaid carers aged 18 and over who live in Manchester or care for someone living within the Manchester City Council area.

The card can help carers identify themselves when accessing services and organisations. It also provides access to a range of discounts through the Carers Card UK app and website, an online community of fellow carers, and helpful resources and information to support carers in their role.

If you're an unpaid carer and think you may be eligible, it's worth applying. If you previously had a Carers Manchester ID card, you should already have been contacted about transferring to the new scheme.

For more information or to apply, visit the Carers Manchester website or contact their team on 0161 834 6069 (ext. 1133) or email info@carersmanchester.org.uk.

Planning for the Future – Share Your Views

Are you an unpaid carer living in Manchester? We'd love to hear your thoughts about planning for the future.

Together Dementia Support is working alongside Carers Manchester, Manchester Carers Forum and Lifecare to better understand what information and support carers need when thinking about future planning. Whether it's making legal arrangements, planning for changing care needs or knowing where to find support, your views will help shape future services and resources for carers.

Taking part is quick and easy. Simply complete the short survey online or get in touch if you'd prefer to speak to someone.

If you'd like to take part, click the link below or contact Paula at paula@togetherdementiasupport.org.uk or call 07763 565160 for more information.

Carers Questionnaire

Dates for Your Diary: Upcoming TDS Events

Derbyshire Three Peaks Challenge

Date: Saturday 8 August 2026

Time: Meet at 8 am (8:30 am start), finishing around 6 pm

Location: Sett Valley Trail Car Park, Hayfield, SK22 2ES

Take on an unforgettable 33km guided trek across Derbyshire's three highest peaks – Kinder Scout, Bleaklow and Higher Shelf Stones – while raising vital funds for Together Dementia Support.

There is no sign-up fee, and participants are asked to raise a minimum of £150 in sponsorship. Experienced leaders from Tink Adventures will guide and support the group throughout the day.

We still have 6 places available, if you or someone you know, wants to join the team.

Dementia Cafes

Dementia Cafes are monthly informal meetings for carers of people living with dementia where they can socialise over a cup of tea. An Admiral Nurse, Dementia Support Advisor and TDS Dementia Support Co-ordinator will be present at the groups regularly to talk, listen and give advice & guidance.

Central Cafe - 1st Thursday Monthly -  Next date 6/8

Amani Centre, 144 Moss Ln E, Hulme, Manchester M16 7DG

1:30 - 3:30 pm

North Cafe - 4th Thursday Monthly -  Next Date 13/8

Higher Blackley Community Centre Victoria Ave, Manchester M9 0RA

11:45 - 2 pm

South Cafe - Last Weds Monthly -  Next date 26/8

St Andrews Community Centre, Brownley Road, Wythenshawe M22 0DW

1:30 - 3:30 pm

No need to book, just drop in!

TDS Legal Clinic

Make a free will or heavily discounted LPA at our next Legal Clinic, we just ask for a donation to TDS for the friendly and accessible service.

17 September

Zion Centre, 339 Stretford Rd, Hulme, Manchester M15 4ZY

Choir

Saturday 1 August

St Edmunds Church Hall, 16 Alexandra Road South Whalley Rane M16 8EZ

2 - 3:30 pm

Drop in with your loved one

Walk & Talk

Every Wednesday, 11 am at Alex Park, Whalley Range

Drop in with your loved one

Day Trip to Cleveleys for Carers

15 September leaves Amani centre 10:30 am

Dementia Inclusive Cricket, Old Trafford Cricket Ground

8 September

Recommendation: Helping Handle for Cars

If you support someone who finds getting in and out of a car difficult, a Helping Handle for Cars could be worth considering. This portable metal handle slots into the door latch when the car door is open, providing extra support and stability when sitting down or standing up.

They're widely available online and from retailers such as Halfords, with prices typically ranging from £5–£15.

This simple mobility aid could make car journeys easier and more comfortable for both the person living with dementia and their carer.

Hello {{first_name}}

In this month’s newsletter…

1. Welcome message from our CEO, Sally

2. Our June highlights

3. Supporting Our Future: Changes to Group Attendance Fees

4. What The NHS 10-Year Health Plan Could Mean For Dementia Care

5. Why Good Care Costs Money

6. Caring for My Mum: One Daughter's Experience of Alzheimer's

7. Dates for Your Diary: Upcoming TDS Events

8. What we’ve been Reading, Watching and Listening to

Welcome Message from our CEO, Sally

How are you?  I hope you’ve been just about coping with the heat.  It amuses me that we sometimes really look forward to rain  - to freshen everything, cool us down, and help the flowers and vegetables to grow. 

This month, I’ve been heartened by a great talk by psychiatrist, Dr Ross Dunne, giving us an update on dementia research.  It’s the most upbeat I’ve heard him and he really believes that within 20 years we will have early screening for the abnormal proteins that cause Alzheimer’s disease, and medication to destroy them. He also told us that there is good progress being made into the small vessel disease that causes vascular dementia.

I’m also hopeful that the likely next Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, will prioritise social care.  I’ve just read that he wants the Casey Commission to make its recommendations by the end of 2026.  This could/should mean significant funding is found for dementia services and to support carers. Keep your fingers and toes crossed!

In the meantime, please join us at one of our Cafés, or an event, where we can support each other and have a good time.

Our July Highlights:

FFF members keep cool during a trip to Bispham, near Blackpool

Carers enjoying a Well-being Evening

• Carers Week

  During Carers Week, Together Dementia Support celebrated the incredible work of family carers by hosting a special Well-being Evening and launching a new social media campaign sharing video interviews with carers about their experiences of caring. The Well-being Evening included a delicious meal, a calming Tai Chi session and a foot massage workshop, giving carers the chance to relax, connect with others and focus on their own well-being. Our new series of carer stories will continue over the coming months, helping to raise awareness, reduce isolation and ensure the voices of carers remain at the heart of conversations about dementia support. 

• Corporate Support Making a Difference

  Corporate partnerships play a vital role in helping Together Dementia Support continue supporting people living with dementia and their carers across Manchester. Last month, colleagues from Betfred took on a 20-mile challenge run between their offices, raising an incredible £5,093 to support our work! If your employer is looking for a new Charity of the Year, or you'd like to organise a workplace fundraiser, we'd love to hear from you – every partnership helps us reach more people affected by dementia.

• Fabulous Forgetful Friends’ Seaside Trip

  Members of our Fabulous Forgetful Friends group and their carers enjoyed a well-deserved day out in Bispham, with fish and chips, sunshine, a stroll along the promenade and some enormous slices of cake! The trip was a chance to thank members for the contribution they've made over the past year by taking part in research projects and giving talks to professionals (to increase their knowledge). A huge thank you to our volunteers, Colin, Val and Kishwar, whose kindness and support helped make such a lovely day possible.

• Volunteers Week

  June 1-7th was Volunteer’s Week - a UK-wide celebration of volunteers, and the amazing contributions they make to our communities! Here at TDS, we’re incredibly thankful for our team of 75+ active volunteers that help keep our services running – whether they’re supporting our groups, visiting members at home, making brews at Dementia Cafes or helping out on the minibuses – every hour of their time helps us help people living with dementia in Manchester, and their carers, to live better. We celebrated with a ‘bring n share’ summer social, full of tasty food, good company and a quiz. We’re always needing more volunteers so please get in touch if you, a friend or relative is interested.

Supporting Our Future: Changes to Group Attendance Fees

From 1 August 2026, Together Dementia Support will be introducing new attendance fees for our Friendship & Activity Groups and Together at Home service. This is a decision we have made after great consideration but is unavoidable due to rising costs for venues, transport, activities, refreshments and staffing, alongside increasing demand for our services, stretching us ever more thinly.

As an independent charity, we are not commissioned, meaning we do not receive guaranteed funding from the council or NHS to provide our post-diagnostic dementia support. While attendance fees will increase, they will still cover only a proportion of the true cost of running our services. We have to continue working hard to get grants and donations with to make up the difference.

We are trying hard to ensure that financial circumstances don’t prevent people from accessing our services so a new reduced attendance fee will be available for people who have a very low income and receive certain welfare benefits.

You will each receive a letter, setting out the new charges that will start on 1st September 2026. To save on postage, you will receive the letter via e-mail so please look out for it in the next few days. If you don’t have an e-mail address we will, of course, post the letter to you.

Our free support for carers will continue, although we welcome donations at the Dementia Cafes to help pay for the venue hire and refreshments.

These changes will help ensure that the charity remains viable and can continue providing vital Groups, activities and companionship for people living with dementia across Manchester for years to come. 

Why Good Care Matters

A recent online blog (The Arc of Ageing) by ageing expert, Jane Barratt, highlights an important message: good care costs money, but poor care costs far more.

The article reminds us that quality care cannot be rushed or automated. It relies on skilled, compassionate people who provide time, support and dignity to those who need it most. It also recognises the enormous contribution made by unpaid family carers, many of whom provide years of support before formal services become involved.

As demand for dementia and social care continues to grow, charities and care providers face increasing pressures from rising costs and limited funding. At the same time, people are living longer with more complex needs, making high-quality, person-centred support more important than ever.

At Together Dementia Support, we see every day how early support, meaningful activities and compassionate care improve lives. Investing in quality care helps people living with dementia remain connected, active and supported, while also providing vital support for carers and families.

What The NHS 10-Year Health Plan Could Mean For Dementia Care

The Government has published its new 10-Year Health Plan for England, with dementia identified as a key priority for future NHS reform.

The plan aims to make healthcare easier to access by providing more services closer to home through local Neighbourhood Health Services. It also promises improvements to the diagnosis process by investing in primary care and training more GPs, helping people access support earlier and avoiding hosital admissions. Another planned change is to expand the NHS App so that carers can help manage appointments and healthcare on behalf of people living with dementia.

Perhaps the biggest development is the proposed Modern Service Framework for Frailty and Dementia, which will introduce national standards to improve the quality and consistency of dementia care across England. Dementia charities have welcomed these commitments while highlighting the importance of involving people with lived experience as the plans are developed.

At Together Dementia Support, we're committed to making sure the voices of people living with dementia and carers are heard. If any carers would like to attend a meeting of commissioners and councillors, get in touch with Sally. We’d also be grateful for help at one of our Fabulous Forgetful Friends sessions or a Dementia Café, where you'll have the opportunity to help gather the experiences and views of our members, which we can share with local decision-makers. to help shape local dementia services.

Carers’ Week: One Daughter’s Story of Caring for Her Mum

Jo-Ann and her Mum

To mark Carers Week, former family carer Jo-Ann shared her personal experience of supporting her mum following an Alzheimer's diagnosis. In a moving guest blog, she reflects on the challenges of balancing work, family life and caring, while highlighting the importance of accepting support, prioritising your own well-being and finding the right help at the right time.

Jo-Ann's story is an honest reminder that behind every person living with dementia is often a family member or friend providing care, compassion and unwavering support. Her practical advice and reflections offer encouragement to anyone currently caring for a loved one with dementia.

At Together Dementia Support, we're grateful to Jo-Ann for sharing her family's journey and helping to shine a light on the realities of caring.

Dates for Your Diary: Upcoming TDS Events

Derbyshire Three Peaks Challenge

Date: Saturday 8 August 2026

Time: Meet at 8:00 am (8:30 am start), finishing around 6:00 pm

Location: Sett Valley Trail Car Park, Hayfield, SK22 2ES

Take on an unforgettable 33km guided trek across Derbyshire's three highest peaks – Kinder Scout, Bleaklow and Higher Shelf Stones – while raising vital funds for Together Dementia Support.

There is no sign-up fee, and participants are asked to raise a minimum of £150 in sponsorship. Experienced leaders from Tink Adventures will guide and support the group throughout the day.

We still have 6 places available, if you or someone you know, wants to join the team.

Dementia Cafes

Dementia Cafes are monthly informal meetings for carers of people living with dementia where they can socialise over a cup of tea. An Admiral Nurse, Dementia Support Advisor and TDS Dementia Support Co-ordinator will be present at the groups regularly to talk, listen and give advice & guidance. No need to book, just drop in!

Central Cafe - 1st Thursday Monthly -  Next date 2/7

Amani Centre, 144 Moss Ln E, Hulme, Manchester M16 7DG

1.30 - 3.30 pm

North Cafe - 4th Thursday Monthly -  Next Date 16/7

Higher Blackley Community Centre Victoria Ave, Manchester M9 0RA

11.45 am - 2 pm

South Cafe - Last Weds Monthly -  Next date 29/7

St Andrews Community Centre, Brownley Road, Wythenshawe M22 0DW

1.30 - 3.30 pm

TDS Legal Clinic

Make a free will or heavily discounted LPA at our next Legal Clinic, we just ask for a donation to TDS for the friendly and accessible service.

Date: Thursday 16 July 2026

Location: Zion Centre, 339 Stretford Rd, Hulme, Manchester M15 4ZY

Together Dementia Disco

An evening of music, dancing and fun for everyone, organised by the staff and volunteers of the TDS Wythenshawe Group. £10 per person when booked in advance, £12 per person on the door. Your ticket includes a meal, soft drink and all entertainment.

Date: Friday 31 July 2026

Time: 5 - 7:30 pm

Location: Wythenshawe Cricket Club, Longley Lane, M22 4JF

Carers’ Training

Carers Training evenings online, with Jo, Zaib and Cathy, on Zoom -  1/7, 8/7, 15/7

Email Beth to book on beth@togetherdementiasupport.org

Bereaved carers’ Evening at Barrie’s allotment

You’re welcome to see these award-winning allotments and Barrie’s gorgeous sweet peas.

Date: Wednesday 8 July

Time: 6-7.30pm

Location: Moss Park Allotments, Lesley Rd, Stretford M32 8EE

What we’ve been Reading, Watching and Listening to:

^{Sally recently read this beautifully written article written about Muslim faith and how it can help some families to care for the person with dementia.}

John Snow: A Last Big Story

The film follows the veteran broadcaster's diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and features his final major investigative report into an environmental and mining disaster in Zambia

Dan read an interesting article about Evidence that 40Hz gamma stimulation promotes brain health

Hello {{first_name}}

In this month’s newsletter…

1. Welcome message from our CEO, Sally

2. Our June highlights

3. Dementia Action week 2026 Celebrating What People Can Do

4. Kath & Dave’s Dementia Adventure, Wye Valley in May

5. Manchester City Council’s Carers’ 3 Year Strategy

6. Dates for Your Diary: Upcoming TDS Events

7. What we’ve been Reading, Watching and Listening to

Welcome Message from our CEO, Sally

Welcome to June’s Newsletter. This is the month of the longest day. We can easily feel that life is moving very fast but, as poet Donna Ashworth says, it can be a good time to take stock:

‘Summer solstice is upon us.

We are halfway through this year

Take a beat, retreat, reflect and pause

To see your journey clear’

Do come to a Dementia Café or the Carers’ Wellbeing Evening. We can guarantee you some good company and opportunities to laugh and relax. 

We’re still feeling buoyed by a great Dementia Action Week where some of our members with dementia really excelled. This week we’re celebrating our amazing volunteers who give so much to our charity. And then next week we’ll be celebrating all carers, telling the world how amazing you all are whilst saying clearly that you shouldn’t have to work and battle so hard, and should be better rewarded. Look out for a brightly-coloured envelope dropping through your letterbox – a small thankyou from us to you.

Our June Highlights:

TDS Walkers at the Great Manchester Run

Dan & Male Carers

• Great Manchester Run

  A huge congratulations and thank you to everyone who walked or ran for Team TDS at this year’s Great Manchester Run. Supporters took part in both the 10K and Half Marathon, raising an incredible £9,021 so far, with donations still coming in. Every mile completed and every pound raised will help us continue supporting people living with dementia and their carers across Greater Manchester.

• Male Carers Evening

  Dan lead a successful male carers evening last week which was a nice intimate setting attracting new male carers, the next one is:

  Wednesday 24 June, 6.30 pm at The Lloyds, 617 Wilbraham Road, M21 9AN

Dementia Action Week 2026 - Celebrating What People Can Do

Dan and member, Brian, get ready for service

This year's Dementia Action Week was a fantastic celebration of the talents, creativity and contributions of people living with dementia, while also raising vital funds to support our work across Greater Manchester.

Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we raised an incredible £1,672, including donations and fundraising events. Every pound raised will help us continue providing groups, activities and support for people living with dementia and their carers.

Highlights from the week included our Fabulous Forgetful Cafés, where people living with dementia took the lead in preparing and serving homemade food to guests, our Home, Heart & Connection exhibition showcasing artwork and personal stories, and our Cream Tea & Brass Band Fundraiser, which brought the community together for an afternoon of music and refreshments.

Dementia Action Week is about more than raising awareness. It's an opportunity to challenge misconceptions, celebrate what people living with dementia can achieve with the right support, and remind ourselves of the importance of community. Thank you to everyone who donated, attended an event, volunteered or helped spread the word.

Kath & Dave’s Dementia Adventure, Wye Valley in May

At lunchtime on Monday, we met our new companions at a Garden Centre café before beginning our Dementia Adventure. There were twelve of us altogether: four people living with dementia, four partners or carers, Alison the leader, and three experienced volunteers. From the start, the volunteers provided thoughtful support, chatting with David while Kath enjoyed independent walks and swims, confident he was safe and cared for.

We stayed in a converted Dutch barn overlooking rolling hills, with rescued birds and a pond nearby providing constant interest. The programme was varied and well-paced, with everything carefully organised and dementia-friendly. Activities included feeding alpacas, tasting traditional cider, assisted cycling, boat and steam train trips, and a pub lunch overlooking the River Wye. Evening entertainment from local singers added to the fun.

Although expensive, we felt the four-day trip was worth every penny. Preparation was excellent, with detailed phone calls, forms and a Zoom meeting beforehand to ensure everyone’s needs were understood.

Dementia Adventure is a charity dedicated to improving life for people living with dementia and their carers, offering holidays, training, support and bursaries for those needing financial help.

Manchester City Council’s Carers’ 3 Year Strategy

This strategy has recently been signed off and has some great ambitions:

• A centralised Carer Support Hub

• A Carers’ Navigation Service

• Expansion of respite options – including a sitting service, new care home respite beds, volunteer-led respite and respite options for carers and cared-for together

• To improve carers’ mental health

• To strengthen financial support and advice for carers

• Investment in carers’ peer support

• Develop future planning for carers

 We’re pleased that TDS Carer Champion, Margaret Booth, attends regular oversight meetings about the strategy and will do her best to ensure that these ambitions become reality. 

Together Dementia Support would love to be part of a funded Carer Navigation service and for our 1:1 and group services to be recognised as carer respite, as this would then make our services sustainable and able to grow

Dates for Your Diary: Upcoming TDS Events

Derbyshire Three Peaks Challenge

Date: Saturday 8 August 2026

Time: Meet at 8:00 am (8:30 am start), finishing around 6:00 pm

Location: Sett Valley Trail Car Park, Hayfield, SK22 2ES

Take on an unforgettable 33km guided trek across Derbyshire's three highest peaks – Kinder Scout, Bleaklow and Higher Shelf Stones – while raising vital funds for Together Dementia Support.

There is no sign-up fee, and participants are asked to raise a minimum of £150 in sponsorship. Experienced leaders from Tink Adventures will guide and support the group throughout the day.

Places are limited to 20 people, so book early to secure your place.

Carers Wellbeing Evening

We are offering a wellbeing evening this Carers Week, including tai chi, a healthy meal, massages, ping pong and more. Please contact us to book: admin@togetherdementiasupport.org

Dementia Public Meeting

What we’ve been Reading, Watching and Listening to:

Sally recently met Gareth Williams who has set up a not-for-profit company, the Community Story Hub, to help individuals and organisations share and record spoken memories and stories, using an App. You can even produce a Memory Book that has pictures and the sound of the person’s voice. We’re going to find out more – about the cost etc – and will let you know.

For carers with loved ones in care homes – Shared Care for Carers Resource Launch

Tide is a national network of carers who provide training, peer support and other helpful resources. Their latest resource is a guide about getting the best out of shared care in a care home. As family, you shouldn’t ever feel “I’m just a visitor” or “They know best”. This guide will help you to work WITH the care home staff and how to problem solve if things aren’t going well.

Hello {{first_name}}

In this month’s newsletter…

1. Welcome Message From our CEO, Sally

2. Our May Highlights

3. Dementia Action Week 2026

4. Pop Up Cafes - The Fabulous Forgetful Cafe

5. Dates for Your Diary

6. What We’ve Been Reading, Watching and Listening to

Welcome Message from our CEO, Sally

Welcome to our May Newsletter – and thanks for reading it!

What glorious weather we’ve been having! What a gift these warm, sunny days are when we don’t expect them. The good weather has enabled us to take people outside to do gardening, walking and games. I hope you’ve been able to soak up some sunshine too.

At TDS we’re doing some really hard thinking at the moment. We want and need to support more families in many different ways but we also want to keep our groups and one-one services for our members with dementia going. We have a shortfall of income compared to our expenditure this year, partly because all our costs have increased. We need to increase the charges for the services, including the transport. 

We are thinking of having two different charges, one for those on low income benefits and a higher charge for those who aren’t. We are also thinking of making all groups 3 hours long so that your relative has more time with us, and you carers get a longer break.

So, we’ll be consulting about these changes throughout May. Please let us know if these changes will work for you and your relative.

Our May Highlights:

Sally & Beth attend the UK Dementia Care awards

PY Group members preparing soup for the Dementia Action Week cafe

• Memorial Walk

  A Memorial Walk at Wythenshawe Park brought bereaved carers together for a gentle morning of connection, with some attending their first outing since their loss. People shared their experiences, supported each other, and one family is now fundraising for TDS in memory of their loved one. The morning finished with coffee and conversation, leaving people feeling less alone.

• Male Members & Carers Cooking

  At two of our Friendship and Activity Groups, members have been getting involved in cooking and making sandwiches (including patties at East Manchester) ahead of Dementia Action Week. It’s been especially popular with our male members, who’ve really enjoyed getting stuck in. It’s also meant everyone could share some fresh, home-cooked food, so we’re planning to keep it going.

• UK Dementia Care Awards finalist

  Together Dementia Support were finalists in the UK Dementia Care Awards for our work supporting carers and providing vital breaks. Beth and Sally attended the ceremony this week, where our work was highly praised. They also met other organisations doing great work and came back with plenty of new ideas.

Dementia Action Week 2026 - Celebrating What People Can Do

Dementia Action Week is taking place this May, led by Alzheimer’s Society, and this year at Together Dementia Support, we’re focusing on something simple but powerful: celebrating what people living with dementia can do.

Across the week, our community will be leading the way, hosting, creating, and performing. TDS will be welcoming guests at our Fabulous Forgetful Café, showcasing artwork and sharing moments of joy through music. These events are about challenging assumptions and highlighting ability, not limitation.

Alongside the week’s activities, we’re also aiming to raise £2,000 to continue supporting people living with dementia across Manchester. Our online fundraising campaign will launch in the lead-up to the week, and every contribution will help us keep these vital services running.

We’d love you to be part of it! A lot of work has gone into planning these events for Dementia Action Week, please do attend an event, support the campaign, or help spread the word.

Find out what’s on and join us this Dementia Action Week in our ‘Upcoming TDS Events’ section of this newsletter.

Pop-Up Cafés: The Fabulous Forgetful Café

Moss-Side Group members cooking for the Dementia Action Week cafe

One of the highlights of our Dementia Action Week programme is the Fabulous Forgetful Café – a pop-up experience with a difference. Here, some of our members living with dementia (from the Moss Side and PY Friendship and Activity Groups) will be welcoming guests and serving food that they have prepared themselves to challenge assumptions around dementia.

Taking place at Kath Locke Centre on Monday, 18 May and Thursday, 21 May, the café offers more than just a place to eat. It’s an opportunity to see first-hand the confidence, skills and personality of our members, while gently challenging stigma.

Our members have been busy preparing menus, cooking food and practising roles ahead of the event, and the result is something genuinely special.

It’s only £10 for soup, a sandwich, drink and scone!

Come along, take a seat, and experience it for yourself. We still have tickets available to buy!

The Mental Capacity Act, Best Interest Decisions and DoLS

A few months ago, Mark Cooper from the University of Manchester gave us an overview of the Mental Capacity Act.

Mental Capacity 

Lacking capacity is decision-specific — someone may lack capacity around where they live but retain capacity to choose what to wear. To have capacity, a person must be able to understand, weigh, retain and communicate relevant information.

Best Interest Decisions 

When someone lacks capacity for a specific decision, a Best Interest decision is made, weighing the person's past and present wishes alongside family and professional views. If a health and welfare Power of Attorney exists, that attorney is usually the final decision maker (assuming that the professionals agree that they are acting in the person’s Best Interests); if there’s no LPA, it falls to the social worker or doctor.

DoLS 

Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards protect people in hospitals or care homes who lack capacity to consent to their care arrangements. Safeguards include an independent assessment and an appointed ‘Relevant Person’s Representative’ (RPR) to advocate for the person. Unfortunately, the system is overwhelmed, with average waiting times of 144 days instead of the required 7.

Please phone Beth and the Carer Support Team if you have any questions or need help with these issues.

Dates for Your Diary: Upcoming TDS Events

Working Carers Evening Social

Wednesday 6 May 2026

Are you struggling to make our day time events due to work? Join us at our evening carers social to meet other carers in a similar position to you and get support. We are meeting at The Didsbury pub (852 Wilmslow Road, M20 2SG) at 6 pm. Please email Paula if you would like to join: paula@togetherdementiasupport.org 

Home, Heart & Connection: Exhibition Launch

Wednesday 20 May, 1-3 pm

Arcadia Library & Leisure Centre, Levenshulme
Celebrate the opening of a new art installation created by people living with dementia in collaboration with local artist Michelle Ayavoro. Please email mary@togetherdementiasupport.org for more information.

Cream Tea & Brass Band Celebration

Friday 22 May, 2-5 pm

Chorlton Central Church
An afternoon of live music from NOVA Brass, cream tea, and community connection.

Great Manchester Run 2026 – Join Team TDS

Sunday 31 May 2026

Take on the Great Manchester Run and support people living with dementia across Manchester. Whether you run, walk, or roll, this is your chance to be part of Team TDS. We still have 15 places available for the 10K.

TDS cover your £55 entry fee and provides an official vest. In return, we ask participants to raise a minimum of £150, helping fund vital support for people living with dementia and their carers.

Carers Well-Being Evening

Wednesday 10 June 2026

We are offering a free well-being evening this Carers Week (Monday 8 June to Sunday 14 June). On Wednesday 10 June, our evening will give carers the chance to take part in tai chi, a perfume making workshop, ping pong, and have a massage! It also includes a healthy meal. Please email admin@togetherdementiasupport.org to book your place.

Derbyshire Three Peaks Challenge

Saturday 8 August 2026

Take on a brand new challenge for Together Dementia Support with our fully guided Derbyshire Three Peaks trek. This 33km route covers Kinder Scout, Bleaklow and Higher Shelf Stones – a tough but rewarding day in some of the Peak District’s most stunning scenery.

There’s no sign-up fee, just a minimum fundraising target of £150. You’ll be supported by experienced guides from Tink Adventures every step of the way.

Places are limited to 20 participants.

What we’ve been Reading, Watching and Listening to:

Fiddle Activities

Sally and Jo are producing more cheap ‘fiddle activities’ for people with dementia to do as the problem of boredom. This is something that has been brought to our attention. You can use the link below to buy fiddle toys. We are also going to make our own fiddle activities. One idea is a box of large nuts and another of bolts. You then ask the person to help put a nut on each bolt. If you would like to test one of our boxes, please get in touch.

Still Me, Sabina Brennan

‘Still Me’ Book Cover

Available on Spotify or Audible as an audio-book

Still Me reframes the job of caring for someone with dementia as a partnership. Both you and your loved one deserve respect, support and the latest research to help you on your journey.

Hello {{first_name}}

In this month’s newsletter…

1. Welcome message from our CEO, Sally

2. Our April highlights

3. The Casey Commission

4. Great Manchester Run

5. Debate About Diet

6. Eli Lilly Appeal About Dementia Drugs

7. Dates for your diary

8. What we’ve been Reading, Watching and Listening to

Welcome Message from our CEO, Sally

Welcome to our April Newsletter – and thanks for reading it!

March was another busy month with staff running a Carer Training course, trialling a Male Carers’ Group, the trip to the Lowry, as well as the usual groups and carer visits.

Our Fundraising Manager, Imogen, is busy setting up events for later this year and she and Sally are working harder than ever to secure more grants to keep all our services running. We’ve got exciting plans for Dementia Action Week (18- 25 May) so do keep an eye on our website, Facebook and Instagram pages for details.  We want to raise awareness of the achievements of our members with dementia but also campaign for better funding for dementia services.

Unfortunately, because of the difficult funding climate and inflation, we’re having to raise the prices of our Friendship & Activity groups and individual services a little from May 1st.  Please look out for an e-mail from us or a letter in the post about this.

On a cheerier note, we’ve been shortlisted as a finalist in the UK Dementia Care Awards 2026 for our services to carers.  These awards aren’t as prestigious as BAFTAs or Oscars – but we’re still chuffed  that our nomination was thought to be strong.  We’ll let you know how the interview and final judging goes…..

And you can’t help but feel hopeful and a little cheerful if you see the buds on the trees bursting and the green leaves opening out.  Even when humans are behaving badly, nature still gives us many lovely surprises, don’t you think!

Our April Highlights:

Grace and Amtul - Together At Home Service

Male carers bonding over a pint

• Together At Home
  Social Work student, Grace, has struck up a lovely relationship with one of our older ladies, called Amtul, even though they don’t share a common language This relationship encourages all of us to realise that, if we slow down, listen and watch carefully, and take turns to lead and follow the activity, giving non-verbal encouragement, we can enjoy meaningful moments and shared experiences Grace said:  “Even simple activities become meaningful when they are done with focus, patience and genuine engagement.”

• Male Carers Evening
  We had our third Male Carers Social Event. Two staff members met-up with 5 male carers at the end of the March in Chorlton cum-Hardy. These male carers events provide the space for them to gain advice, share experiences and to talk about their situation with others that understand. It also allows them to be part of a community of male carers, and offers a space to have a joke and laugh so they can forget about their caring responsibilities for a little while.

  Barrie E: I arrived to find a group of ‘partners’ where straight away the feeling of camaraderie was so natural. To broach many experiences, we had when young(er) brought laughter & relief to be able to allay our great loss by degree. I look forward to the next soiree.

  
  Carers Training

  Jo and Paula ran a 4 week online carers training throughout March with a core of 8 carers attending each week. 

  The feedback was good, all the carers enjoyed it and even though everyone's situation was unique to them, they all learned something new to help them with their caring journey.

• Eric & Ernie

  Paula & Mike accompanied a group of 17 carers and their loved ones to the Lowry theatre for a dementia friendly lunchtime showing of the show Eric and Ernie last week. 

   

  Not only was it a fabulous show but the Lowry theatre staff and volunteers went above and beyond to make sure the theatre and the show was accessible to all. 

   There was lots of laughter and everyone enjoyed their outing. 

• Cognitive Stimulation Therapy

  Anne & Dan Dan recently attended a day’s training workshop on Cognitive Stimulation Therapy – this is a scientifically based framework for delivering stimulating activities for people living with dementia in a fun and inclusive way. They met some other healthcare professionals, carers, and former carers, and were all challenged to join in some role play to give them all flavour of the techniques! Anne & Dan look forward to practising them for real with their lovely members in our Friendship and Activity Groups.
  

The Casey Commission

The Casey Commission

In 2024 Baroness Louise Casey was asked by the Government to review social care in England. Louise Casey has a reputation for being fearless and able to challenge and bring about change. Although her full report won’t be ready until 2028, she has already called for some immediate changes: asking the Government to scale up dementia trials, appoint a new Dementia Tsar, and set up a new National Safeguarding Board to protect vulnerable adults.

Having met lots of people affected by dementia and other illnesses, she is scathing about the injustice faced by people who rely on social care.

In a speech on 5 March she said social care needs a complete reset equivalent to Beveridge’s reforms in 1948.  She said that there is currently a reliance on cobbled together underfunded services relying on low-paid care workers, a lack of ownership and accountability, and a deep divide between health and social care which leaves families to navigate alone.  

Casey stated that a national conversation would be needed to seek backing from the public who pay for health and social care through their taxes. 

The Chief Executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said:  

“Dementia is the UK’s leading cause of death—so why isn’t it a national priority? Every year we delay prioritising dementia costs lives and costs the UK billions.   

Baroness Casey and the Independent Commission have met with many people with lived experience across the country and people working in the sector. They are also asking any member of the public to share their own experiences and ideas. You can do so via this link: 

Debate About Diet

Many of us think about how we can reduce the likelihood of developing dementia or how to delay it. At one of our groups there was also discussion about whether we should give our members with dementia biscuits to eat.

So what does the science say?

A healthy, balanced diet—particularly the Mediterranean diet—can significantly reduce the risk of dementia by supporting brain health and lowering inflammation. Key dietary approaches include eating leafy greens, berries, fish, and nuts, while minimizing processed foods, red meat, and added sugars, according to the National Institute on Ageing. 

Physical health factors that reduce risk or delay dementia

• Risk Factors: Diets high in saturated fat, sugar, and salt can lead to high cholesterol and blood pressure, increasing vascular dementia risk.

• Weight Management: Maintaining a healthy weight prevents type 2 diabetes, which is linked to vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s.

So, should we provide biscuits for people with dementia to eat? Or should we give fruit or vegetable sticks etc?

Some people with dementia will no longer eat a balanced meal and may not eat much at all. Sometimes our priority is to get them to have more calories so tempting them with any snacks or drinks that they like is the priority. And we need to make those foods attractive and easy to reach. It’s great to offer healthy options and to eat those foods with pleasure yourself – so that they might copy. So, whilst we should all try to eat and drink more healthily, the priority to get the person with dementia to eat and drink enough each day probably wins.

Eli Lilly Appeal About Dementia Drugs

A drug company has successfully challenged a decision that blocked its Alzheimer's treatment from being available on the NHS.

Eli Lilly, the maker of a drug called Donanemab, appealed against a ruling by NICE (the body that decides which treatments the NHS should pay for). NICE had originally decided not to recommend the drug, but has now been forced to take another look.

Donanemab is designed for people in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease — those with mild memory and thinking problems — and works by targeting a protein in the brain linked to the condition. It's intended for a specific group of patients based on their genetic profile.

As a result of the appeal being upheld, a NICE committee will meet again to reconsider two things: the cost of giving the drug by drip (infusion) in NHS settings, and longer-term data on how well it works. The drug company said that NICE hadn’t considered the full cost of NOT giving the drug – the cost of families caring for the person with Alzheimer’s

Chris Stokes, Eli Lilly's UK and Northern Europe head, called it "a big moment in the battle against Alzheimer's disease" and urged NICE to be flexible in how it weighs up the evidence, so that eligible patients can access the treatment on the NHS "as quickly as possible."

Dates for Your Diary: Upcoming TDS Events

Dementia Action Week 18 - 25 May 

Keep an eye on our website and social media as we unveil an exciting programme of activities.

Derbyshire 3 Peaks Challenge

TDS have secured a guide to take intrepid fundraising walkers across the Derbyshire 3 peaks on 8 August. Please save the date more details will be given out soon. email admin@togetherdmentiasupport.org to register your interest.

Memorial Walk

TDS Choir

We will be meeting next on 11 April at our new venue St Edmonds Church Hall, Alexandra Road, M16 8EZ please email anne@togetherdementiasupport.org if you’d like to join us we are always happy to welcome new members.

What we’ve been Reading, Watching and Listening to:

Just Checking Monitoring Technology

A simple, internet-based system that uses sensors around the home to allow professionals to observe people’s movements, to help assess their health and wellbeing. Lots of carers say to us that they don’t know if their loved is having a shower or not, this technology can report back if something like the shower is being used. There are no cameras or microphones. An assessment with social services is required.

One of our staff came across these library books for young children, about dementia

They all portray loving relationships between a grandparent developing dementia and the child. These books could be a good way to help a child understand what ‘ dementia’ means and to encourage them to express their feelings about it.

Hello {{first_name}}

In this month’s newsletter…

1. Welcome message from our CEO, Sally

2. Our month highlights

3. Run, Walk or Roll for the Great Manchester Run

4. Carers Manchester celebration evening

5. A joyful night at Ceilidh for TDS

6. Dates for your diary

7. What we’ve been Reading, Watching and Listening to:

Welcome Message from our CEO, Sally

No matter what’s going on in the political world, March brings longer days and the first signs of Spring, something for which we’re all very grateful!

Some of you will be observing Ramadan or Lent, a time for greater reflection and compassion.  I hope we all might be more compassionate not only to others but also to ourselves.  I’ve come to realise that the apparently small things that carers achieve are worth acknowledging and celebrating  - helping someone to look smart, cooking a meal that was really enjoyed, making your relative smile or laugh, persuading them to come out with you.  You are doing more than you know!

I hope you can find something of help or interest in the newsletter this month. And, don’t forget that we’d love to share something that you’ve written: a piece about your feelings, some advice or something that you’ve found helpful.  We’ll all be very grateful to hear from you.

Last Month’s Highlights:

• TDS are Hiring!
  We are looking for a minibus driver to transport our members safely to and from Friendship & Activity Groups. Do you know anyone who might be interested?

  Find the Job Spec and apply here!

• Blackley Dementia Cafe
  In February, we partnered with Higher Blackley Community Centre to help run their Dementia Café! The Cafe takes place every second Thursday, between 12 - 2pm, and includes a hot meal. In March, the cafe will be held on the 12th and 26th, with TDS attending on 26th March.
  

• Group Themes
  February was a vibrant and busy month across all groups, filled with Winter Olympics activities, Valentine’s celebrations, pancake fun, Chinese New Year festivities, and preparations for Ramadan. With some early spring sunshine, Walk and Talk also enjoyed getting outdoors, making it a month full of energy, creativity, and connection.

Run, Walk or Roll for the Great Manchester Run!

We’re excited to offer places in the Great Manchester Run, taking place on 31^st May 2026, in support of Together Dementia Support – but they’re limited and going fast!

• 10K: 30 charity places available

• Half Marathon: Only 1 place remaining

All places are first-come, first-served. 

We cover the cost of your race entry and official running/walking vest. In return, participants agree to raise a minimum of £150 for the 10K or £250 for the half-marathon, helping us continue our vital work supporting people living with dementia and their families.

Whether you choose to run or join the TDS team of walkers…this is a brilliant way to challenge yourself and make a real difference. We would welcome some of our members with dementia to join us - even if they couldn’t walk the whole route, we’ll have a wheelchair on hand!

Carers Manchester Celebration Evening: Saturday 13th June

Nominations are now open for Carers Manchester Celebration Evening!

The event is happening on Saturday 13th June from 7pm, at The Sheridan. Attendees will enjoy a three-course meal, entertainment, and be recognised for their hard work and dedication.

Carers Manchester invite you to nominate a carer* to attend this special event (if you are a carer, you can nominate yourself!) using the online form below.

200 carers will then be randomly selected and awarded a free ticket. Selected carers will also be given the opportunity to purchase one discounted guest ticket for £25, and additional full-price tickets for £45 per person. 

NOMINATE A CARER (DEADLINE: 27TH MARCH)
 If you require assistance with the nomination form, please phone the admin team on 0161 834 6069 [ext. 1133] 

*A carer is someone who supports a relative, partner or friend due to their physical or mental illness, disability, frailty or addiction. Nominated carers must be aged 18

A Joyful Night, Ceilidh-ing for TDS!

What a fantastic night we had on 28 February at our Together Dementia Support ceilidh! The hall was full, the music was lively, and the dance floor was never empty.

Friends old and new came together to eat, laugh and (after a little encouragement!) throw themselves into the dancing. The caller kept us all on our toes, and even those who said they “don’t dance” were soon spinning, clapping!

Alongside the dancing, our raffle, silent auction, stalls and refreshments added to the fun – and we’re so grateful to everyone who donated prizes, baked cakes, ran stalls and helped set up and clear away. It truly was a team effort.

Thanks to the incredible generosity of everyone who attended, we’re absolutely delighted to share that the evening raised a total of £2000 to support people living with dementia and their carers across Manchester.

A huge thank you to our wonderful volunteer Christine for organising such a brilliant event, to Chorlton Central Church for hosting, and to every single person who bought a ticket, made a donation, volunteered their time or simply brought their energy to the dance floor.

Dates for Your Diary:

• Central Manchester Dementia Café: Thursday 5th March, 1:30pm

  Amani Centre, Moss Side M16 7DG
  

• Eric & Ernie Theatre Trip: Wednesday 25th March, 1:30-2:30pm

  Join us at The Lowry for a dementia-friendly performance! Specially adapted for audiences living with dementia, this is a show for all the family – full of Morecambe and Wise’s most loved routines, songs, and sketches.

  Tickets available for carers only £7.50 and for carers taking their loved one along for £15.

  Book your tickets here!

• Wythenshawe Dementia Cafe: Wednesday 25th March, 1:30-3:30

And coming up in April:

• Carer’s Wellbeing Trip to RHS Bridgewater: Date TBC

• Black Families Caring for Elders with Dementia: Half meeting, half social, date TBC

What we’ve been Reading, Watching and Listening to:

•  How a blood test will soon be able to predict the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s dementia. This web article summarises research findings from the respected journal ‘Nature’.  It explains – and when symptoms are likely to start showing.

  Read the article here

• Transforming Mouth Care Challenges into Success

  This practical webinar gives lots of tips on how to provide mouthcare to your loved one.  This is particularly helpful if your relative doesn’t like having their teeth brushed, for instance.

  Watch the video here

• ‘Do I Sound Like I Care?’ 

  In this podcast former-carer, Louise Lynch, interviews a male carer, Andy, about the challenges of caring for his Mum.  It’s moving but also funny. 

  Listen to the podcast here

Hello {{first_name}}

In this month’s newsletter…

1. Welcome Message from our CEO, Sally

2. Our January Highlights

3. Hospital at Home: A Carer’s Perspective

4. Home, Hearts and Connection: East Manchester Art Project

5. The Great Bunny Hop 2026 - Registration now open!

6. Run, Walk or Roll for TDS in the Great Manchester Run!

7. Direct Payments in Manchester

8. Dates for Your Diary

9. What We’ve Been Reading, Watching and Listening to

Welcome Message from our CEO, Sally

Hooray!  Give yourself a pat on the back.  You’ve made it through January! Generally speaking it’s a tough month, practically, emotionally and physically.  But it’s just about to be February, a short month, and then we’ll start to see the signs of Spring in March. On my sunny lunchtime walk today I was cheered up by snowdrops growing out of grass. Do take a moment to acknowledge anything positive that you experience.

In the world of dementia there are some hopeful things out there: a draft Carers’ Strategy from Manchester City Council (with ideas of how to give carers more breaks); the possibility of Dementia Hubs in Manchester; easier ways of diagnosing dementia earlier; new research into the link between menopause and Alzheimer’s;  and new ambitions and ideas about how TDS would like to grow our services.

And have you got any resolutions for 2026?  For most of you who are carers, it must surely be to find some time for yourself.  However, if you are a former carer or supporter, do you have any spare time to volunteer for us – either monthly or weekly?  We are particularly short of volunteers at our Dementia Cafes and at our weekly Friendship & Activity Group in north Manchester.

Please also look at the dates for your diary at this newsletter.  We always love to see you at any of these events!

Our January Highlights:

Co-Design Workshop

Afternoon Tea

Our Fab Forgetful Friends group took part in the first BRIDGES Co-Design Workshop, kicking off an exciting collaboration with the University of Sheffield to explore how technology can better support independent living for people affected by dementia. The FFF members have selected some pieces of dementia-friendly equipment that they’re excited to try out at home. You can explore the full range of equipment here:

ADAM

ADAM is a platform which will help anyone living with dementia find the right pieces of technology at the right time.

www.alzscot.org/community-support/adam

We’re incredibly grateful to our corporate supporter Capsticks Solicitors LLP for treating 22 of our carers and volunteers to a wonderful afternoon tea at King Street Townhouse, creating a much-needed moment to relax, connect and feel appreciated. Gestures like this recognise just how vital carers are, and one attendee described it as “a break away from the difficulties life throws at us when caring for a loved one.”

Hospital at Home: A Carer’s Perspective

Michelle and her Mum, Elveta

Written by TDS carer, Michelle

“Hospital at Home was fantastic for my mum!

My mum, 86, was recently admitted to hospital for a blood and iron transfusion. Normally, she would have needed to stay in hospital, but a consultant set up the Hospital at Home service, allowing her to receive the same care and monitoring in the comfort of her own home.

We could contact the team anytime between 8am and 10pm, and we were visited by doctors, nurses, therapists, and social care staff. Once you’re under this service, the team becomes your main point of contact and coordinates with all other health departments and the GP.

My mum received 1:1 care, and as a family, we also had quality time to ask questions and gain a broader understanding of her health. It was reassuring, supportive, and made a real difference to our experience.”

Home, Hearts and Connection: East Manchester Art Project

What do you think of when you hear the word ‘home’? Do you think of your childhood? Do you think of people, or bricks and mortar? Do you think of the home you came from, or the one you have built for yourself?

Last year, we were generously awarded funding from One Manchester – the largest social housing provider in Manchester - to run a 4 week art project with our East Manchester Group in Autumn, exploring what home means to our members through discussion, stories and abstract art.

We worked with local artist and facilitator (and TDS Carer) Michelle Ayavoro, who guided the group in finding inspiration in the things that make home special to them – whether it’s a cherished possession, item of furniture, person or pet – which became incorporated into everybody’s individual piece through the screen printing technique.

Those individual pieces have now been expertly sewn together by Michelle into one big, bright and beautiful banner capturing everyone’s expressions of home. It was really special to see the group try something so new, and connect over ideas and stories, and to see members surprise themselves with their own artistic abilities. 

Thank you to One Manchester for enabling this, and to Michelle for her skills, time and passion!

The Great Bunny Hop 2026 - Registration New Open!

We’re delighted to announce that registration is now open for The Great Bunny Hop 2026, our fun and flexible Easter fundraiser for schools and nurseries across Manchester, taking place throughout March 2026.

The Great Bunny Hop is a sponsored activity designed especially for early years and primary settings. Children can hop, walk, run or roll around a safe space in a way that works for them and their setting. Schools and nurseries choose when and how to take part, making it easy to fit into busy schedules.

By taking part, schools help us continue providing vital support to people living with dementia and their carers across Manchester. As a small local charity, community support like this makes a real difference.

How you can help:
If you have a connection to a local school or nursery - perhaps as a parent, grandparent, carer or friend - we’d be incredibly grateful if you could share this opportunity with them.

Thank you for helping us spread the word and support families affected by dementia 🐇✨

Run, Walk or Roll for TDS in the Great Manchester Run!

We’re excited to offer places in the Great Manchester Run, taking place on 31^st May 2026, in support of Together Dementia Support – but they’re limited and going fast!

• 10K: 30 charity places available

• Half Marathon: Only 1 place remaining

All places are first-come, first-served. 

We cover the cost of your race entry and official running/walking vest. In return, participants agree to raise a minimum of £150 for the 10K or £250 for the half-marathon, helping us continue our vital work supporting people living with dementia and their families.

Whether you choose to run, walk or roll, this is a brilliant way to challenge yourself and make a real difference.

Direct Payments in Manchester

Recently, TDS staff and carers joined a Zoom session to learn more about Direct Payments (DPs) and how managing a cash budget could give families more choice and flexibility when arranging care. We were joined by Debbie and Sonia from Manchester’s Direct Payments team, whose commitment to supporting families was clear throughout. They reassured carers that help is available at every stage, from setting up a DP to recruiting carers and problem-solving along the way. 

To access a Direct Payment, the person with dementia must first have a Care Needs Assessment. If their needs meet the threshold for council-funded care, families can choose a Direct Payment instead of a council-arranged care package. A Fairer Charging Assessment then confirms how much the person needs to contribute, with both contributions paid into a dedicated account.

Families can use a DP to employ a Personal Assistant directly or purchase care from an agency, with the DP team offering support with recruitment, payroll and finding suitable providers. In some cases, friends or family members may be paid carers if everything is set up correctly.

We know of TDS families who have found Direct Payments life-changing, providing peace of mind and consistent support. Direct Payments can also cover day care or 1:1 social support. Speak to us at TDS if you’d like advice or more information.

Dates for Your Diary: Upcoming TDS Events

Ceilidh for Together Dementia Support

https://www.togetherdementiasupport.org/post/ceilidh-for-together-dementia-support

What we’ve been Reading, Watching and Listening to:

• ‘Why Dementia Makes Communication Difficult: A Guide to Better Outcomes’ book by Alison Wray

• Do I sound Like I Care? Louise Lynch

Hello {{first_name}}

In this month’s newsletter…

1. A note to say thank you

2. Volunteer’s New Year Social

3. Volunteer’s Afternoon Tea

Just a note to say THANK YOU:

Hi lovely volunteers - I’ll keep this fairly short, don’t worry, but I didn’t want to finish for Christmas without saying a giant, heart-felt thank you from us here at Together Dementia Support HQ for everything you have done this past year.

Your kindness, generosity and time does not go unnoticed or unappreciated by us, our members or their families. We really would not be the TDS that is known and loved by many, if we didn’t have you wonderful people on our team. Long may it continue!

I know many of you will be celebrating Christmas in one way or another in the coming week, but I know for many of you, it might not be as merry and bright as it says on the tin.

Christmas can be a difficult time for lots of us, for lots of different reasons. Whether you’re far from home or far from the people you love, whether you’re missing those who aren’t with us anymore, or the festive season brings up painful memories; whether you’re lonely or struggling with your mental health, navigating difficult relationships; or whether you just feel that it’s hard to celebrate with our world the way it is.

However you’re feeling - you aren’t alone. There’s no wrong way to feel at Christmas, and there’s no right way to celebrate.

Whether you believe it or not, at it’s core, the Christmas story is one of hope and joy found in unexpected places, where nothing looked like it was supposed to. The story we’re celebrating is the story of a Jewish baby, born in a Palestinian town during a time of political upheaval, whose family was forced to flee to Egypt as refugees shortly after his birth. Perhaps there’s something all of us can take from a story like that today.

Anyway, we are all wishing you a restful, merry and peaceful Christmas time, and a gentle and kind start to the New Year. Once again, thank you for everything you do - it is such a gift.

Take care of your precious selves this season, and see you on the flip side.

Mary

✨Volunteer’s New Year Social✨

You are all invited to join us on Thursday 22nd January for our Volunteer’s Social, to fight the January blues and ring in another year at TDS with good food, good company, music and a quiz.

We’ll be providing some delicious Caribbean food (with lots of veggie and plant-based options!) and other refreshments, and we’re hoping that you’ll provide the good company.

Here are the details:
🗓️ Tuesday 22nd January
🕕 6 - 8pm
📍 Kath Locke Centre, Moss Lane East, M15 5DD

Please RSVP to Mary by the 8th January, including any dietary requirements and whether you’ll be bringing a plus one:
📧 volunteers@togetherdementiasupport.org
📞 07579 831790

See you all for some New Year fun!

✨Volunteer’s Afternoon Tea✨

One of our lovely corporate supporters, Capsticks, are very kindly hosting a free afternoon tea for our Carers and volunteers in the New Year. It’s there way of showing appreciation for all the amazing work you do, and the time you give.

Here are the details:

📅 Friday 16th January
📍 King Street Hotel, 10 Booth Street, M2 4AW
🕚 TBC, but between 11am - 2pm

Whilst I’m sure they wish they could treat all of you, we only have 10 spots available for volunteers. These are being allocated on a first come, first served basis - so if you’d like to join, then please get in touch ASAP:

📧 volunteers@togetherdementiasupport.org
📞 07579 831790

Hello {{first_name}}

In this month’s newsletter…

1. Welcome message from CEO Sally

2. Our November Highlights

3. Assisted Living Schemes

4. Join Our 12 Days of Christmas Giving and Help Raise £5000!

5. Dementia Congress

6. What We’ve Been Reading and Listening to

Welcome Message from our CEO, Sally

‘All that glitters is not gold’ is one of a number of proverbs that we ask our members with dementia to complete.  These funny little phrases seem to stick in their minds – although many young people have never heard them!

I think it’s a good proverb for the season of Christmas.  I confess that the traditional Christmas songs are playing too early in the supermarkets for my liking and the TV Christmas adverts make me positively cross!  All that glitters on the TV – the images of well-dressed people in beautiful homes – is not what many of us really value.  I think it’s the kindness, care and generosity that we see around us that we truly value.  So I hope that all of you observe and experience some of that this December.

Sadly, the Chancellor’s budget didn’t have any good news for social care but, in due course, the building of 250 NHS Neighbourhood Care Centres might benefit people dealing with dementia because they’ll provide access to more joined-up healthcare in the community and so avoid hospital admissions.

We’re planning Christmas fun for our members with dementia at their groups and we hope that lots of you will join us for either our Carers Evening Christmas meal  on December 10^th or the Carers Lunch on 17^th. It’ll be a great opportunity to catch up, let our hair down and celebrate all that you’ve got through this year.

Our November Highlights:

Sharon and Beth at the Bowden Rugby Club Fundraising Lunch

• Fundraising Lunch at Bowden rugby club
  Our Carer Support Manager, Beth, and carer, Sharon, attended a fundraising lunch kindly hosted by Bowden rugby club. The event raised incredible £10,000 for TDS!

• Carers Socials
  We took some carers for a well deserved evening at Shrigley Hall Spa and 16 of our East Manchester carers enjoyed a meal out together.

• Carly Occupational Therapist Trainee

  During her 8 week placement with TDS, Carly brought some fresh energy and thoughtful ideas to our Friendship & Activity groups. We wish you all the best with your career Carly and thank so much for all your hard work and contribution!

Assisted Living Schemes:

If you or a relative may benefit from a more supportive home, you might consider an assisted living scheme (formerly called sheltered housing). These usually consist of apartments with an on-site or on-call warden.

Extra Care schemes are for people aged 55+ and have a 24/7 care team on site who can provide personal care and emergency call-outs. Many residents build strong relationships with the staff. Manchester currently has 12 Extra Care schemes, with more in development by Manchester City Council and housing partners.

Important
Before contacting any scheme, you must register with Manchester Move

Extra Care schemes are designed as a home for life, but they cannot replace nursing care or offer continuous supervision.

How to apply for Extra Care Schemes

You can apply yourself, or a social worker, health professional, friend or family member can apply for you. Send your completed application to the schemes you choose (details available via “find out more about the schemes and how to request an application”). You must also be registered with Manchester Move.

Applications are discussed at monthly allocation meetings based on individual needs and available care.

Before applying, consider the scheme’s location and visit or speak to the landlord to ensure it meets your needs.

Dementia Congress:

Together Dementia Support took part in the Dementia Congress in Manchester, contributing to important conversations about dementia support and community practice.

Our CEO, Sally Ferris presented alongside the Chorlton & Whalley Range Dementia Action Group on “It Takes a Village”, exploring how we can create dementia-friendly communities.

Beth, our Carer Support Manager, also delivered a well-received session on the SIDECAR carer well-being assessment, highlighting the importance of structured support for carers’ well-being.

We’re proud to share our learning, strengthen sector collaboration, and continue advocating for improved support for people affected by dementia in Manchester. 

Join Our 12 Days of Giving and Help Us Reach £5000!

We’re inviting our supporters, friends, and community to come together for 12 Days of Giving - a festive campaign to help bring joy, connection, and meaningful moments to people living with dementia and their carers across Manchester.

From Tuesday, 2nd December, we’ll be sharing stories, impact, and ways you can help us reach our target of £5,000. Every gift, big or small, helps us continue providing person-centred support through our Friendship & Activity Groups, one-to-one support, dementia cafés, and specialist carer support.

Please donate and share our campaign page:

By donating or sharing the link with friends, family, and colleagues, you’ll help us reach even more people who want to make a difference. Together, we can jingle all the way to £5K and make this Christmas brighter for those who need it most.

Don’t Miss Our Big Christmas Raffle!

Our annual Christmas Raffle is back! Support Together Dementia Support and be in with a chance of winning some fantastic prizes, including:

• £150 M&S voucher

• Amazon Echo Show

• Sony headphones

• Hairdressing vouchers

• Festive food hampers

• …and lots more!

You can buy a pack of 5 tickets for just £5 online here:

 Good luck, and thank you for supporting TDS this Christmas! 

Prefer to buy in person? You can also purchase individual tickets at upcoming TDS events, including our Friendship & Activity Groups, Dementia Cafés, and Christmas meals.

If you have any questions, just email us at admin@togetherdementiasupport.org, we’ll be happy to help

Our Choirs Are Performing at the Trafford Centre - Volunteers Needed

We’re excited to share that two of our Together Dementia Support choirs will be performing at the Trafford Centre on Friday 12th December! This is a wonderful opportunity for our members to shine, spread joy, and raise awareness, and we need your help to make the day run smoothly.

We’re looking for volunteers to meet us at the Trafford Centre, help members safely off the minibus, and guide them to the performance area on Lower Peel Avenue (outside Boots and Zara). We’ll also need volunteers to help collect donations in our collection buckets throughout the event.

Even if you can spare just an hour, it would make a huge difference.

If you can volunteer, please email imogen@togetherdementiasupport.org
We’ll be there from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Choir performance times:

• 11:30 am – 12:30 pm

• 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm

Thank you for supporting our members and helping us share the joy of music with the wider community for Christmas!

Dates for Your Diary: Upcoming TDS Events

North Manchester Carers Free Christmas Meal

6pm Woodthorpe Hotel, Bury Old Road, Prestwich M25 0EG

Email admin@togetherdementiasupport.org to book on

What we’ve been Reading, Watching and Listening to:

• Relish – a company that sells dementia-designed activities and games that your relative might enjoy – and more!

  We have bought Aquapaints, colouring books and simple jigsaws from this company. They also have suggestion of things you can do around the home with your relative.

  Click here to visit the Relish website

Hello {{first_name}}

Welcome Message from our CEO, Sally

We’re squeezing in a mid-month mini-newsletter because we don’t want you to miss the chance to sign up for one of our Christmas meals.

We’re also sharing a bit more about our Christmas fundraising campaign and hoping you’ll help us spread the word. We genuinely rely on donations from both individuals and businesses. Without secure funding from the NHS or the council, we have to raise every single pound ourselves.

And finally, you’ll see below that we’re making a small change to how we accept payments for our groups. It should help us work more efficiently and keep everything running smoothly.

Paying for Our Services

You may have received a recent email or spoken to our staff about setting up a Direct Debit for your relative’s activity sessions with us.

We understand that everyone’s circumstances are different, and that some families prefer to pay with cash on the day. However, managing ad hoc payments has become increasingly difficult for us. Together Dementia Support is a charity, and the fees we charge are already heavily subsidised. Running our groups involves costs for staff, venue hire, transport, refreshments, and equipment. Even with these subsidies, the groups don’t cover their full costs, so reliable payments are essential for us to keep sessions running consistently.

Using Direct Debit helps us ensure that group places are available for everyone and that our staff can focus on providing engaging and enjoyable sessions, rather than handling payments each week. It also means that, if your relative is away for a longer period or in the hospital, we can easily issue refunds without disrupting the group. 

Regular attendance in our Friendship & Activity sessions is really beneficial for your relative’s wellbeing, helping them stay connected and maintain skills for longer. We hope you see the value in supporting regular participation.

Please complete the Direct Debit form sent to you by the end of December or create a Direct Debit online: https://www.togetherdementiasupport.org/pay – just select the service, fill in a few details, and you’re all set. 

From January 2026, we will no longer be able to accept cash payments.

If you have any difficulties at all, please email admin@togetherdementiasupport.org. We’re always happy to help.

Thank you for helping us keep our groups running smoothly and making every session enjoyable for everyone.

Carers’ Christmas Lunch – You’re Invited!

Join us for a festive celebration to say thank you to all the incredible carers we support!

Date: Wednesday 17th December

Time: 12:30 – 3:30 pm

Location: Hough End Centre, Chorlton

Enjoy a delicious Christmas meal, festive fun, and the chance to relax and connect with other carers. It’s our way of celebrating you and all the amazing work you do every day.

Carers’ Christmas Meal – North Manchester

Date: Wednesday 10^th December

Time: 6 pm

Location: Woodthorpe Hotel, Prestwich

Sneak Peek: 12 Days of Giving! 

We’re gearing up for our festive campaign, launching on Giving Tuesday, 2nd December! This year, we’re hoping to “jingle all the way to £5K” to help people living with dementia and their carers in Manchester.

Keep an eye on your inbox and our social media – we’ll be sharing daily stories, videos, and ways you can make a difference. If your workplace is planning a Christmas fundraiser, please consider supporting us. Every bit helps us bring joy, friendship, and vital support to our members this festive season. 

Get ready to spread some festive cheer! 🎁💛

Hello {{first_name}}

In this month’s newsletter…

1. Autumn highlights

2. Placement Reflections from Carly

3. Our 2024-25 Impact Report

4. Our new service film!

5. Our Christmas Raffle!

6. What we’ve been reading, watching and listening to

Welcome Message from your Volunteer Co-ordinator, Mary:

Hello lovely volunteers,

Once again, I am in complete disbelief that it’s November already.

I think that no matter how many laps around the sun we have under our belt - the transition from late summer to autumn takes us by surprise each year. We often keep ourselves so busy, with our heads down, focusing on the days and weeks stretching out ahead of us - on our deadlines, on half term, on the Christmas break somewhere on the horizon…and then, on those occasions where we remember to look up and around, we find the seasons, the leaves and the clocks changed. Suddenly, we’ve flown past our harvest and Halloween celebrations at groups, and we’re already planning Christmas parties for our carers and members. Against our will we are once again being nudged into the beginnings of winter.

Winter can be a harder time of year for lots of reasons - less sunlight disrupts our circadian rhythm and can affect the production of hormones linking to mood, appetite and sleep. Shorter days tend to make us less motivated and more fatigued, and longer nights and bad weather often make us more socially isolated as we’d rather stay in during the evenings. All this to say, there’s scientific evidence that winter is harder for our brains and bodies - so you’re not on your own if you’re tentatively dreading the darker months.

However, winter brings with it the opportunity for a change of pace. I always think there is so much to learn from the ways in which the natural world is beginning to slow in preparation for the months ahead. We simply aren’t designed to be as productive in winter as we are in summer. Winter is a time for small things. Don your waterproofs and get outside when and where you can - even if it’s wet, fresh air is the best thing for your brain - if only to enjoy the feeling of returning to the warm and dry. Savour the winter sunshine when it appears. Stamp on the crunchy leaves. Embrace soup season. Invite friends for tea. Catch up on the books you were gifted for Christmas last year that you’ve been meaning to make time for. Continue to volunteer your time and energy each week, and let the warm glow of being part of a wider community carry you through until spring.

TL;DR? Slow down, and take care of your precious selves this winter. Read on to find out what we’ve been up to over the past few months, and what’s going on here at TDS.

Get in touch:

📞 0161 226 7186
📧 volunteers@togetherdementiasupport.org

🍂Our Autumn Highlights:

East Manchester members adding the final touches to their art pieces!

Some of our lovely supporters at The Together Trail!

• Home, Hearts & Connection Art Project
  The East Manchester Group have recently taken part in a 4 week screen printing project with a local artist, exploring what home means to them.
  

• Volunteers Pizza & Quiz Night
  We had a lovely evening of food and fun at our volunteers social in September - lots of Dominoes pizza, and varying levels of general knowledge!

• The Together Trail
  Our brand new sponsored walk, held in Wythenshawe Park in September, raised over £6,300!

Reflections from my Occupational Therapy Placement - Carly Everall

Carly has been on an 8 week placement with us here at Together Dementia Support, as part of her Occupational Therapy training. For those of you that haven’t had the joy of meeting her at groups, we asked her to share her reflections on her time with us:

Carly and the PY group, preparing their Diwali banner!

The finished product!

The main goal of my placement is to bring the principles of Occupational Therapy (OT) to our activities. OT is all about enabling people to engage in the everyday activities that give life meaning and purpose. By doing this, we can help build confidence and a sense of identity.

Here's a look at some of the things I’ve been working on at groups, together with staff and volunteers::

• A better welcome: To help members feel more settled upon arrival, I've introduced orientation boards and simple name games. We also have a table set up with lanyards so members can find their own and put it on. This encourages independence and promotes a smoother transition into the group.

• Meaningful activity: At North Manchester, we have been tasking members with the preparation of snacks and setting the tables for lunch. By enabling members to participate and contribute, we are supporting their sense of purpose and identity.

•  Empowering volunteers: Instead of doing things for our members, I am encouraging you wonderful volunteers to focus on facilitating their independence. This shift helps members maintain their skills and autonomy.

•  Encouraging engagement: Through simple, repeated tasks, we are strengthening memory and decision-making skills. We are also working on problem-solving and initiation in a supportive way, helping members to build on their individual strengths and feel a sense of achievement.

• Checking in: We've been using a feedback tool at the start and end of sessions to better understand how members are feeling. This helps us ensure that our activities are having a positive impact.

Given the short time I am here I may not have time with all of you but hope that you will see the benefit of the changes and continue to enjoy time with our lovely members! - Carly

Our 2024-25 Impact Report

In September, we were proud to share our brand new Impact Report, marking 10 wonderful years of supporting people living with dementia in Manchester to live well.

Here’s our 2024-25 at a glance:

⭐ 935 people supported (422 living with dementia, 513 carers)
⭐ 2,500+ group attendances across 6 weekly and 2 monthly group
⭐ 80+ people using our transport service weekly
⭐ 1,100+ volunteer attendances
⭐ 3 major fundraising events raising over £100,000
⭐ £588K secured in grants – including a new multi-year Lottery award
⭐ Culturally tailored care provided via our Pyaari Yaadein and Together At Home services

Outcomes that matter:
👉 80% of people with dementia maintained or improved their well-being
👉 82% of carers increased their confidence
👉 91% of carers rated our support 5/5

It goes without saying that we couldn’t have achieved any of that without you - our incredible volunteering community. This is the real life impact that your time, energy, and generosity is making. THANK YOU.

🎬 Our new TDS film:

We recently commissioned a brand new short film, as a way of trying to capture the impact of our services on our members.

The video features our lovely Wythenshawe Group, and our Together at Hone service - you might be able to spot yourself!

Give it a watch below, and please share with your friends and family!

🎄Christmas Raffle: Can you help?

We’re looking ahead to Christmas already! Over the festive season, we’ll be running a festive raffle to raise money, and we’re on the look out for small prize donations. These could be:

🎁 Vouchers!
🎁 Gifts!
🎁 Experiences!

Do you have anything you could donate? Or do you have links with any local businesses - shops, cafes, restaurants - that you could ask to support us?

To donate a prize or find out more, get in touch with Imogen, our Fundraising Manager:

📞 0161 226 7186
📧 imogen@togetherdementiasupport.org

What we’ve been Reading, Watching and Listening to:

• Our CEO, Sally, shares her thoughts on Riot Women (BBC) - a powerful drama highlighting the struggles of midlife women juggling caregiving, work, and family. It’s a moving reflection of the real experiences faced by many families we support.

  Click here to read Sally’s article
  

Hello {{first_name}}

In this month’s newsletter…

1. Welcome message from CEO, Sally

2. October highlights

3. Double your impact this Christmas

4. Caring for someone with dementia

5. Our 1:1 services

6. Dates for your diary

7. What we’ve been Reading, Watching and Listening to:

Welcome Message from our CEO, Sally

What fun our members with dementia have been having!

It’s been party week this week, simply because it’s good to create special events requiring planning, preparation, invitations and extra fun.

At the Pyaari Yaadein group there was a Diwali themed party with traditional Indian dancing. Other groups chose different themes and activities.

 As the says shorten and the skies are greyer, I hope everyone can find something at home to bring comfort or somewhere to go to meet others and have good conversations.

 We are organising three meals for carers in the lead up to Christmas. We hope we can persuade each of you to join us (You’ll find details in the WhatsApp group)

The gorgeous Autumn leaves remind us to recognise that there is beauty even in ageing. “How beautifully leaves grow old. How full of light and colour are their last days” – John Greenleaf Whittier

Our October Highlights:

• A week of party preparation
  Our Occupational Therapist Carly lead a week of fantastic party themed activities at our groups.

• Supporter shout-out: Mark raises £400 for TDS! 🛵

  Volunteer Mark raised £400 at the vintage scooter rally on Guernsey. Thanks so much Mark!

Double Your Impact This Christmas🎄

This Christmas, Together Dementia Support is preparing something special to bring joy to people living with dementia and their carers across Manchester.

You can make an even bigger difference this festive season by asking your workplace to match fund your donation. Many employers have schemes that double (or even triple!) charitable gifts, helping us reach more people and create more uplifting moments.

By taking a few minutes to check with your HR or payroll team, your generosity could have twice the impact – bringing support to those who need it most.

Keep an eye on your inbox – we’ll be sharing our exciting Christmas campaign soon, launching on Giving Tuesday, 2nd December. Start the conversation with your employer now and get ready to make a difference!

If you'd like to get involved and support TDS, please email imogen@togetherdementiasupport.org 

Caring for Someone with Dementia: Key Tips from our Zoom Carers' Meeting

A group of TDS carers recently discussed the 'Contented Dementia' approach. Here are the main points:

Three Golden Rules:

1. Avoid direct questions – As dementia progresses, questions can be distressing. Instead, use objects, music, or photos to spark conversation. Offer visual choices ("this one or that one?") or make suggestions ("I'm thirsty. Shall we have a drink?").

2. Enter their reality – If someone believes they're in a different time or mistakes your identity, go along with it. Focus on what makes them feel secure rather than correcting them. Keep responses simple and consistent.

3. Don't contradict – Even when you're right, arguing causes distress. People with dementia can't consider alternatives easily. Instead, validate their feelings: "I'm sorry you're upset. Let me help find your clothes."

Remember: feelings matter most. Understanding the person's core values or the narrative of their life (like "I work hard" or "I'm good with money") helps you communicate positively, flattering t or distracting them with stories and ideas that resonate with them.

Take care of yourself too. It's exhausting to always respond positively. You need breaks, support from others, and space to share your experiences. Nobody can be the perfect caregiver alone.

 We recorded the meeting so that you can watch it at your leisure. 

Our 1:1 Services: Together Out & About and Together At Home 

Thanks to three years of funding from the Albert Gubay Foundation, we developed two brilliant projects supporting people with dementia:

 Together At Home pairs volunteers with people who can’t attend groups due to mobility or personal care needs. These visits have built wonderful friendships and given carers precious respite time.

 Together Out & About offered longer day trips with our Support Workers to places like garden centres, Bridgewater Hall, and Manchester Art Gallery, bringing joy, confidence, and lasting positive effects for both participants and carers.

Although funding has now ended for Together Out & About, we’re delighted that Together At Home will continue, managed by Jo and with Mary recruiting volunteers. If you know someone who’d like to volunteer, please get in touch!

 New alternative: Greater Manchester now funds Shared Lives Plus, a pilot offering weekly one-to-one activities. Contact: info@sharedlivesplus.org.uk or 0151 227 3499

Dates for Your Diary: Upcoming TDS Events

FREE Moving & Handling Training

Tuesday, 11 November 9:30 am - 1 pm

Amani Centre, Moss Lane East, M16 7DG

Carers Meal

Tuesday, 25 November 6pm

George & Dragon Heaton Moor

Central Dementia Cafe

Carers’ Christmas Meal

Click Here to Book

North Manchester Christmas Meal

Wednesday, 10 December 6 pm

The Woodthorpe in Prestwich

What we’ve been Reading, Watching and Listening to:

• Our CEO, Sally Ferris, shares her thoughts on The Riot Women, a powerful drama highlighting the struggles of midlife women juggling caregiving, work, and family. It’s a moving reflection of the real experiences faced by many families we support. Read Sally’s reflections.

  Click Here to Read Sally’s Article

Hello {{first_name}}

In this month’s newsletter…

1. Welcome message from Sally

2. Our October Highlights

3. 2024 - 2025 Impact Report

4. The Together Trail

5. You Said, We Did

6. Dates For Your Diary

7. What We’ve Been Reading, Watching & Listening To

Welcome Message from our CEO, Sally

The past month has been full of contrasts – from golden sunny days (a real gift!) to dark, rainy evenings that remind us summer has truly passed. Our work, too, has brought both joys and challenges.

A real highlight was our wonderful day in Wythenshawe Park for the Together Trail. We laughed, enjoyed the outdoors, and were inspired by your generosity and energy as donors and fundraisers. In September, we also proudly shared our new film: the first half is an animation about “Bob,” a fictional character living with dementia and struggling with loneliness. The second half shows Keith, one of our members, and the joy he finds through Together At Home and our groups.

On the downside, we’ve sadly had to close our “Together Out & About” service and raise the price for “Together At Home” as hoped-for funding hasn’t come through. We’ve also said goodbye to Laura, who has moved to a new role closer to home. We’ll miss her, but wish her every success.

Looking ahead, there’s lots to enjoy – Dementia Cafés, autumn walks in Alexandra Park, the big Dementia Disco on 1 November, and Christmas parties in December. And don’t forget our new Night Owls WhatsApp group – a safe, friendly space for anyone who might need a chat later in the evening or at night.

As always, please pick up the phone if you’d like to talk. We’re here for you.

Our October Highlights:

TDS Charity Christmas Cards Now On Sale!

Margaret Booth, Lived Experience Group Member and Carer Advocate, has written a blog about carers’ voices at the heart of change.

Our 2024 - 25 Impact Report Is Here!

We’re proud to share our brand new Impact Report, marking 10 years of Together Dementia Support – a whole decade of walking alongside people affected by dementia and helping them live well for longer.

Whether you’ve been with us since the beginning or are just getting to know us, we invite you to explore the stories, achievements, and heart behind our work.

At a glance, this year we:

• Supported 935 people – 422 living with dementia and 513 carers

• Delivered 2,500+ group attendances across our regular sessions

• Provided weekly transport to 80+ people

• Logged 1,100+ volunteer attendances

• Raised over £100,000 through three major fundraising events

• Secured £588,000 in grants, including a multi-year award from the National Lottery

• Continued to offer culturally tailored support through Pyaari Yaadein and Together At Home

“I don’t know of any other organisation that works with people living with dementia and carers like it.” – Family carer

 Thank you for being part of our journey. Together, we’ve made the last 10 years count – here’s to the next 10.

The Together Trail: Walking For Memories Raising Over £6450!

On Saturday 13th September, we held our first-ever Together Trail sponsored walk in Wythenshawe Park. Despite the classic Manchester drizzle, spirits were high as supporters, staff, and volunteers came together to walk in honour of loved ones and raise vital funds.

We’re thrilled to share that the event has raised an incredible £6,450, and donations are still coming in!

The 2.2km route could be walked, rolled, or danced at your own pace. Some walkers even took on the challenge three-legged and dressed as clowns (well done Sally and Claire!). There were warm-ups, delicious cakes, calming hand massages, and our beautiful Memory Tree, where people left touching tributes.

Every participant received a Together Trail T-shirt and medal, with many proudly writing who they were walking for on their backs.

A huge thank you to everyone who took part, donated, or helped out on the day. Your support helps us continue providing life-changing support for people living with dementia and their carers across Manchester.

You Said, We Did:

We recently hosted a consultation of carers to hear their views on how we can better support them. We had a fabulous turn out and it once again made us very aware of the emotional toll caring can take.

We have some tangible things to put in place and work towards from what carers have shared with us:

• We are adding an opt-in ‘night owls’ WhatsApp chat, as was pointed out, this can often feel a lonely time.

• We are also adding a ‘carers recommendations’ broadcast group, this is where useful info that’s been shared in the WhatsApp group can be put, to save so much scrolling when trying to find that useful piece of advice.

• We’re going to design some posters about dementia and the benefits of support and try and distribute these to GP surgeries.

• When the café in the Kath Locke is open, we shall work with carers to set up an evening carers’ social. It was seen how beneficial something like this was from the consultation.

• We are planning a staff training day, where professionals can come and learn from carers themselves.

• We are in the process of organising some carers events aimed at male carers.

Dates for Your Diary: Upcoming TDS Events

Limited transport is available for the event, please get in touch with us directly.

Chorlton Music Cafe

Monday 13th October 1.30 pm - 3 pm

Chorlton Central Church, M21 8BF

People living with dementia and their carers welcome - no musical experience needed

To book, please email Claire@togetherdementiasupport.org

What we’ve been Reading, Watching and Listening to:

• Our CEO, Sally, has recently started using Taletrove to send a personalised photo magazine to her elderly parents with family updates in print. It’s been a great way for her parents to stay connected with the family when they live remotely.

  Click Here to Find Out More

Hello {{first_name}}

In this month’s newsletter…

1. Welcome message from Sally.

2. Our August Highlights

3. Carer’s Spa Day

4. Live More Shared Lives In Greater Manchester

5. The Together Trail

6. Dates For Your Diary

7. What We’ve Been Reading, Watching and Listening to

Welcome Message from our CEO, Sally

As I write this introduction, it’s the first day of Autumn and the beginning of school and college terms. I like the fact that, in the UK, we have seasons as it encourages us to stop, take note and do different things – and each season, in nature, brings its own beauty.

We saved our TDS trips to the very end of August and were lucky with the weather.  Even the staff had a Wellbeing Afternoon last week, undertaking outdoor activities at Sale Water Park!

There are lots of new things happening in September and October – a new Dementia Café for central Manchester, a new Music Café in Chorlton, and some carer training sessions, on Zoom or in person.

We’re very excited about our fundraiser, the Together Trail, on Saturday 13 September.  It should be a lovely social gathering in Wythenshawe Park, with people to chat to, music, refreshments and, of course, our star fundraisers walking the trail – once, twice or however many times they want! One carer has already raised a staggering £600 so please do come to cheer the walkers on, or sponsor one of them (details below).

Whatever you do, try to get out and meet up with someone or come to one of our groups or cafes.  We’ll be delighted to see you.  If you really can’t get out, give us a call and one of our Dementia Support Co-ordinators will come and have a brew and chat with you at home instead.

Our August Highlights:

North Manchester Group Open Day

PY Group on way to Blackpool

North Manchester Group Open Day
On Friday 22nd August, we held a successful ‘Carnival’ themed open day at our North Manchester Friendship & Activity Group in Crumpsall, welcoming both regular members and those on our waiting list. The day was filled with fun activities, singing, and fruit kebab making, and now 14 people attend the group each week. A few places are still available. Please send us your referral if you think your loved one could benefit, and Laura will be happy to discuss how we can support you. 

Blackpool Trip

The Pyaari Yaadein group enjoyed a joyful and much-anticipated trip to Blackpool in August, filled with seaside views, fish and chips, and birthday celebrations. Carers joined in the fun, sharing how special it was to spend the day with their loved ones. The group also dedicated the trip to former driver Asif Malik, fondly remembering the warmth he brought to every journey.

Carers’ Spa Afternoon

Carers at Shrigley Hall

Last week, our fabulous Carer Support Co-ordinator, Paula, took 11 carers to Shrigley Hall for a much-needed day of rest and relaxation. The trip began with a delicious lunch in the restaurant, followed by time to unwind in the spa – including an indoor pool, sauna, steam room, and hot tub. The outdoor infinity pool, with views stretching out to Manchester, was a real highlight.

One carer shared, “a weight has been lifted for a few hours,” while another said, “it’s been great to know none of us are alone on this journey.” The group formed meaningful new connections, offering each other support and understanding from shared experience.

It was a wonderful opportunity to step away from daily pressures, meet face-to-face, and put WhatsApp names to real people.

We’re hoping to run another evening spa trip soon to include working carers – watch this space!

Live More Shared Lives In Greater Manchester:

Did you know that local councils across Greater Manchester have secured funding to trial a new one-to-one support service for people living with early-stage dementia?

As part of the pilot, individuals will be matched with a Shared Lives worker, and they’ll spend a couple of hours together each week. This might involve going out for a walk, enjoying a coffee somewhere, or spending time doing activities in the worker’s home.

If you think your relative might benefit from this six-month pilot, you can find out more and sign up here:
https://sharedlivesplus.org.uk/live-more-manchester
If you're unable to sign up online, feel free to get in touch and we’ll help you make the referral.

There’s no cost to take part, as the service is fully funded by a grant. We're hopeful that if it goes well, it may continue beyond the pilot.

As many of you know, our own grant funding for one-to-one services like Together at Home and Together Out & About is coming to an end. We’re actively seeking new funding so we can keep offering these much-needed services at an affordable rate.

We’re incredibly grateful to our Together at Home volunteers who give their time so generously. That said, this kind of support still requires coordination and proper supervision, and we know how valuable it is for the people we work with.

The Together Trail Is Less Than 2 Weeks Away!

Who Will you Walk For?

There are still a few places left for you to join us on Saturday, 13th September at Wythenshawe Park for our first-ever sponsored walk supporting people living with dementia and their carers across Manchester!

2.2km accessible loop

Live acoustic music

Refreshments

Memory tree to write a message to someone special

Dates for Your Diary: Upcoming TDS Events

New Dementia Cafe

Carer training will be taking place at the cafe on Thursday 4 September & Thursday 2 October Amani Centre, Moss Side

Email Beth to book your place: beth@togetherdementiasupport.org 

New Music Cafe

Monday 13 October at Chorlton Central Church M21 8BF 1.30 pm - 3pm

Email Vicky to book your place: vicky@togetherdementiasupport.org

What we’ve been Reading, Watching and Listening to:

• BBC World Service: The Food Chain https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3ct70yv

  In July, a BBC journalist reached out to our CEO, Sally, to ask if any of our service users or carers would be willing to take part in a radio programme about food and dementia.

  We were delighted to connect them with TDS carer Amy Lambert, her dad Alan, and long-time member Ron Marshall, who all shared their experiences for the broadcast. We’re proud to see our community represented and raising awareness of the everyday realities of living with and caring for someone with dementia.

  

  Alan and Amy

   

• Contented Dementia

  Some of you have been reading Contented Dementia, a book that explores a unique approach to supporting someone with dementia by validating their reality and helping them feel safe and secure.

  Join Beth, Sally, and other members of the TDS team for a friendly Zoom conversation about the Contented Dementia approach:
  Tuesday 30 September 7 pm – 8 pm

  Everyone is welcome, whether you’ve read the book or are just curious to learn more.

  https://us06web.zoom.us/j/2267186123?omn=81180742040 

  Contented Dementia By Oliver James | World of Books GB

Can you spare us an hour, and discuss all of this at a meeting?

📅 Wednesday 27th August
🕕 6:30 - 7:30pm
 📍 The Amani Centre, Moss Lane East, M16 7DG

If you’re coming straight from work, we’ll provide some food.

We already have a few carers who are ‘Dementia Champions’, willing to speak at events, participate in consultations or take on other roles.  Please either come to this event as a one-off or sign up as a Dementia Champion for ongoing involvement (and amazing benefits!)

Together Dementia Support’s usual weekly Friendship & Activity Groups will also run open drop-in sessions throughout the week for people living with dementia to attend. 

Contact us for more information:
📞 0161 226 7186
 📧 admin@togetherdementiasupport.org 

To let you all know that the TDS office will not be open on Friday 18th April and Monday 21st April as these are bank holidays.

Also, all groups will be closed from one week from Wednesday 16th April until Tuesday 22nd April – this is so the group staff team and our dedicated volunteers can use this time for holidays and also for some essential team training .

This should give you all enough time if you need to make other arrangements for those days with Carers etc.  Groups will be offering extra fun and Easter treats around those dates.