A Harrogate charity is hosting a public event next week (Wednesday, 25 June 2014) to launch its new Dementia Service.
The Avalon Group, which this year celebrates its 20th anniversary, is staging a public drop in session at the town’s St Peter’s Church, Cambridge Street, from 10am until 1pm.
Supporting the Avalon team will be Nicky Addison, an Admiral Nurse working alongside Dementia Forward, who will be on hand to answer questions about general Dementia issues.
Admiral Nurses are mental health nurses specialising in dementia and work with family carers and people with dementia, in the community and other settings
The new service has been designed to ensure that customers receive a flexible support at a time and place that is suited to them.
Customers have the opportunity to access care and support services in their own homes. Support can also be provided to people who have moved into residential care.
For its part, Avalon has signed up to the National Dementia Pledge – meaning that it has committed to ensuring that its employees are fully trained to provide excellent dementia care.
Additionally, as part of its commitment to the Dementia Action Alliance, Avalon has pledged that at least 24 of its current support workers will complete the Award in Dementia Awareness, by January 2015.
Larry Hollando, Avalon CEO, said: Dementia can be such an isolating situation for both the individual and their family.
It is easy to feel alone and unaided during the struggles it can present, but we know that it does not have to be this way.
At Avalon, we believe that people with dementia require a highly personalised service that meets individual needs and helps customers to maintain their independence for as long as possible.
Many people are still under the impression that when it comes to Dementia Care, the only option is to have full time paid for care, or for families to provide the care themselves.
But this new service is available as a long or short term solution, with the provision of support from as little as one or two hours per week.
Admiral Nurse Nicky Addison said: It is so important that people in Harrogate are aware of what help and support is available to them.
It is great to be able to raise the profile of Dementia care in the area, in any way we can.
The public drop in session is open to all members of the public and refreshments will be provided.
Avalon employs more than 450 members of staff working across North Yorkshire, Wakefield, Kirklees, Teesside, and more recently The Wirral. In addition, it has recently been awarded the Investors in People accreditation for its commitment to both the Learning & Development and wellbeing of its employees, as well as the Independent Specialist Care 2013 award.
Carers at Avalon give support to a wide range of individuals across the North of England: older adults, people with dementia, physical, sensory or learning disabilities, mental health difficulties, acquired brain injuries and adults on the autistic spectrum.
