Our Connecting Carers Group Update

YPWD hold monthly Carer groups.  Our aim is to connect Carers from across Berkshire that support a younger person living with Dementia.  The objective is that this group provides Carers with the opportunity to build a support network, share information, ideas and experiences. 

Our December Connecting Carers Group proved extremely successful.  We had two external speakers sharing information on the Herbert Protocol followed by an opportunity for our Carers to support one another in a general discussion.  Questions were raised and where possible they too were answered by the experiences of other Carers.  

We are lucky to have two Admiral Nurses that support younger people with Dementia join us at our groups, Dementia Care Advisors from across the County and YPWD staff.  This is an opportunity for them also to deliver news and up to date information.

Discussions showed that having speakers at the group proved to be very useful and informative. YPWD encourage Carers to request preferred topics, but will also invite speakers along to share information on various services and subjects that we feel will be of benefit in supporting someone with Dementia.

Carers have expressed a keen interest in continuing the group across Zoom even when we are able to meet face to face again as this prevents them from having to bring in outside Carers, travelling and is in general more convenient.  An afternoon meet is also the preferred option.

Our Carers feel the group is ‘very useful’, ‘most helpful’ and ‘gives them a chance to speak with other Carers in similar situations’.

Our next meeting will be held across Zoom on Wednesday 27 January at 3pm.  Please do keep an eye out for your invite to come and join us.  Alternatively contact karen.ive@ypwd.info and she will include you on the attendee list.