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 in a friendly environment, and raise awareness about what it is like to live with the symptoms of dementia. The Dementia NI Empowerment Groups enable people with dementia to have a voice, remain active and be part of their community.
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.
Our members regularly consult with a range of organisations, venues and professionals on how to improve their engagement with people with dementia.
Empowerment groups are usually held once a fortnight for approximately two hours in a relaxed, informal environment with plenty of tea, coffee and biscuits provided.
The groups regularly host visitors and guest speakers. These visitors can come to learn from people with dementia, helping to improve their services or organisations through our members' lived experience.
They can also come to share information about their services that may be beneficial to someone living with dementia. 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.
Dementia NI members use their views and experiences to make positive changes for people with dementia. Our members help influence and inform how people can still live well with dementia. Through training and education, members tell others what it is like to live with dementia, as well as challenge the stigma attached to a diagnosis by raising awareness.
By engaging with various professionals and organisations throughout Northern Ireland, Dementia NI members inform them on how they can make their services, policies and practice more suitable for people living with dementia.
The Dementia NI groups which run throughout Northern Ireland empower people with dementia to have a voice, remain active and part of their community.
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, as well as offer opportunities for family members to be involved too.
Lots of people with dementia find our Empowerment Groups improve their overall wellbeing and help them live well with dementia. Come along to:
With 12 Empowerment Groups right across Northern Ireland, and a presence in every Health and Social Care Trust area, you shouldn't be too far from your nearest Group. We currently have groups in:
Nothing in your area? Email us to let us know.
If you've been recently diagnosed with dementia, we're here to help. Become a member of Dementia NI and start your journey with us today.
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