Empowerment

Dementia NI's Empowerment Groups operate throughout Northern Ireland, providing a place for members, who all have a diagnosis of dementia, to come together, share experiences, and provide peer support to each other.

Dementia NI members meet on a regular basis for approximately two hours in a relaxed, informal environment with plenty of tea, coffee and biscuits provided.

The Dementia NI Empowerment Groups enable people with dementia to have a voice, raise awareness about what it is like to live with the symptoms of dementia, remain active and be part of their community.

Often described as life-changing, the Empowerment Groups are facilitated by a member of staff who provides administrative support and organises guest speakers and visitors to the groups, who come along to meet the members and learn from them.

Each member's level of participation is always within their own personal boundaries and comfort.

Dementia NI members often report an improved level of confidence, wellbeing and skill development through attending the groups.

Opportunities

Our members regularly consult with a range of organisations, venues and professionals on how to improve their engagement with people with dementia.

Through training and education, our members tell others what it is like to live with dementia and help influence and inform how people can still live well with dementia, as well as challenge the stigma attached to a diagnosis by raising awareness.

Find out more about who our members are engaging with by clicking here.

Group members support each other through friendship and understanding, particularly after a recent diagnosis of dementia. Regular organised gatherings and events enable Dementia NI members across Northern Ireland to come together and get to know each other.

Lots of people with dementia find our Empowerment Groups improve their overall wellbeing and help them live well with dementia. Come along to:

• Learn more about your condition and symptoms
• Make new friends and share experiences, without fear of stigma
• Get advice from other members on how to live well and move forward with dementia
• Have a safe space to talk and be listened to
• Build your self-esteem and confidence
• Reduce feelings of isolation
• Gain access to interesting opportunities
• Exercise your conversational skills, memory and cognition
• Use your skills and strengths