Dementia support

People with dementia get by with a little help from their friends, and anybody can become a Dementia Friend. It’s all about understanding a bit more about dementia and the small things you can do to help people with the condition.

We’re proud to be a dementia friendly council. So far more than 140 of our staff members have become Dementia Friends, helping to promote understanding of the illness.

Both frontline and back-office staff have undertaken training so they can recognise the small things that can make a big difference to people living with the condition in our community.

Dementia Friends

Dementia Friends is an Alzheimer’s Society led initiative, funded by the Department of Health and Cabinet Office. It aims to increase dementia awareness, changing the way the nation thinks, talks and acts about dementia.

People with dementia want to carry on going about their daily lives and feeling included in their local community, but they sometimes need a helping hand. Dementia Friends learn a little bit about what it's like to live with dementia and turn that understanding into action. This might be by helping someone to find the right bus, or being patient in a till queue if someone with dementia is taking longer to pay.

More information on how to become a Dementia Friend can be found on their website.

Dementia champions

The Council has its own Dementia Friends champion, Beverley McMillan. Beverley is a council housing support worker who has been running information sessions, with those attending becoming a Dementia Friend. This is part of the council’s pledge to the Dementia Action Alliance.

Champions have been going out into their communities and organising sessions in workplaces to spread the message, helping local people, businesses and groups to understand dementia.

Beverley, a Council housing support worker, said: "Our aim is that most of our frontline staff are dementia aware. We believe that by having an understanding of dementia will really benefit the community.”

More information on how you can become a Dementia Friends Champion can be found on their website.

NHS working age dementia team

Contact the NHS working age dementia team if you live in Nottinghamshire and are under 65, with a diagnosis of dementia.

Support sessions run at various times and locations across the county, including peer support groups.

Contact sharon.grocock@nottshc.nhs.uk or call 01623 403278 for more information.

Memory loss support groups

The Alzheimer’s Society Nottinghamshire

People affected by dementia can contact the Alzheimer’s Society Nottinghamshire to access their Dementia Support Service in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. They provide support, information and guidance over the phone, by email and in writing.

They are also running some virtual activities including virtual carer’s groups, dementia cafés and Singing for the Brain groups.

For more information please visit the Alzheimer’s Society website, email nottspdss@alzheimers.org.uk or call the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Officer at 0115 934 3811 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

The Dementia Connect support line is also open Wednesday 9am to 8pm, Thursday and Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturday and Sunday 10am to 4pm at 0333 150 3456.

Memory Café

The café is a relaxed place for people with dementia and their carers to meet. The memory café meets every Monday from 1pm until 3pm at the Lifespring Church, Sherwood Drive, Ollerton. They have a variety of quizzes, games, crafts and sometimes interesting guest speakers and always a warm welcome, a cuppa and a biscuit.

For more information email liz@lifespring.org.uk or call 01623 860303 / 07973982716

Open Door

An independent non profitable organisation offering help and support to individuals, carers and families whose lives are effected by Dementia.

For more information on the local services they provide contact them at

Tel: 01623 405199

Mob: 07722520765

Email: info@opendoor1.co.uk

Web: http://www.opendoor1.co.uk

Blidworth and Rainworth Memory Group

People living with dementia or looking after someone with dementia can come along. You can learn more about the condition, get support, do activities, but most importantly meet friendly people for a chat, a cuppa and a biscuit.

The group meet on the first Friday of the month at Blidworth Library, New Road, Blidworth, Notts NG21 0PW from 10am until 12pm.

Memory Group meetings changed dates and venue during library refurbishment are:

• Sherwood Forest Community Church (SFCC), Main Street, Blidworth, Notts, NG21 0PX; telephone 01623 797733
• Friday 3rd March 2023 10-11.30am at the SFCC
• Friday 31st March 2023 10-11.30am at the SFCC
• Friday 28th April 2023 10-11.30am at the SFCC
  For more information contact bandrmemorygrp@gmail.com or call 07971039832.

Carers support groups

Newark Dementia Carers Group

Carers of people with dementia can join this friendly and understanding group. The group meets at the Community Centre Coronation Street Balderton every Monday and Thursday and offers a place to go to unwind, socialise and find support, you are welcome to bring the person you care for along too.

The group has a variety of activities, social events, days out and holidays.

For more information email newarkdementiacarersgroup@hotmail.com or call 07586377756