The Office and Chat session is open to the general public to drop in and find out more about Dementia Friendly Keighley in general or to find out about what support is out there. The Dementia Friendly Keighley office is situated in the Airedale Shopping Centre, supported by staff and volunteers and welcomes people to pop in and have a chat.  If the team can’t answer your question they will be able to signpost you to someone who hopefully can help.

So please pop in and come meet the team!

Telephone the Dementia Friendly Keighley office on 07452 773 788 or email
info@dementiafriendlykeighley.org.uk

We have offices in Bingley, Bradford, Ilkley and Keighley, providing outreach support across the district.
Our role is to develop, support, promote and represent the interests of voluntary and community sector organisations and groups.
We do this by helping groups of local people to work together on things that concern them, such as childcare, health and improving the area in which they live providing advice and services to voluntary groups to enable them to be more effective promoting to the Council, the NHS providers and to Government Agencies, the role of community groups in improving people’s lives

My role with Dementia Friendly Keighley started as a partnership supporting role through Keighley Healthy Living and have continued to support in a freelance capacity. My role has included coordinating projects, developing systems, supporting recruitment and providing monitoring reports.  I feel Dementia Friendly Keighley has been so successful due to  the determination and drive of its Trustee Board and Board Members, and it has always been a pleasure to help support the success of Dementia Friendly Keighley.  I believe the projects and sessions Dementia Friendly Keighley reach and engage the local community and offer much needed support.  I am excited about the next chapter with Dementia Friendly Keighley and the introduction of 2 new staff members who I believe will continue the successes of the past 4 years.

If you would like to contact Hannah either telephone the office on 07452 773 788 or email
info@dementiafriendlykeighley.org.uk

In 2012 my wife was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s Disease. Prior to that I knew of the concept of dementia but due to the rapid progression of the disease in her case meant a fast learning curve as she began to lose many functions as well as memory. During this period I tried to find out as much as I could and was involved in some meetings held at Central Hall that lead to the formation of Dementia Friendly keighley which I joined as a carer. I became very involved in outlying a journey through dementia which DFK produced as booklet in 2017. My current project is with regard to making rail travel a positive experience for all those living with dementia and their carers with the local train operator, Northern Rail. This involved looking at stations becoming dementia-friendly, dementia friendly activities along the local line and dementia awareness for the rail staff

If you would like to contact Rod either telephone the office on 07452 773 788 or email
info@dementiafriendlykeighley.org.uk

My passionate interest in DFK relates to my parents…my dad is now in Herncliffe nursing home living with dementia at the age of 96yrs young!…my mother died a year ago at 99yrs young, and both parents moved from Poole, Dorset to be cared for by my wife and I as they were having falls and losing their memory…I’m presently working on a National Lottery funding bid to deliver information and awareness sessions targeting ethnic minority communities in Keighley…Dementia does not discriminate, it affects everyone…

If you would like to contact Roy either telephone the office on 07452 773 788 or email
info@dementiafriendlykeighley.org.uk

“About four years ago the Alzheimer’s Society started working in Keighley to kick-start a dementia friendly community campaign. Although I had come across people with dementia in my career as a nurse I had no experience of dementia within my own family and had no real understanding of the massive impact the disease has on individuals and families. The Alz Soc organised an open meeting , which I attended to see what all the fuss was about. It was plain that dementia had been a hidden and isolating illness and volunteers were needed to start to make changes. Awareness-raising was clearly going to be a vital part of the process to create Dementia Friendly Communities so I volunteered to train as a Dementia Champion. Since then I have recruited over 400 Dementia Friends in the Keighley area. I also volunteered to sit on the committee that would oversee the efforts to make Keighley more dementia-friendly and became the treasurer. I also helped to set up a seated exercise class, run a singing for the brain group, attend meetings of our young persons’ group and do all manner of fundraising things. All these things I do as a volunteer; so never underestimate the value of volunteers, remember Noah’s Ark was built by volunteers, The Titanic was built by professionals!”

If you would like to contact Maggie either telephone the office on 07452 773 788
or email info@dementiafriendlykeighley.org.uk

The Keighley Memory Club is organised and delivered by the Memory Tree. Friendship and support for people with dementia and their carers.
Every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month, 1.45 to 3.30 pm

Telephone the Dementia Friendly Keighley office on 07452 773 788 or email
info@dementiafriendlykeighley.org.uk

Monthly singing for the brain group, The Singing Teapot welcomes new people of all singing ability on the first Friday of each month at Keighley Shared Church, Market Street, Keighley 1:30-3pm. This class is run in collaboration with Rotary Club of Keighley.

Telephone the Dementia Friendly Keighley office on 07452 773 788 or email
info@dementiafriendlykeighley.org.uk

The Drop-In is currently being planned. It will be a drop-in session (with an appointment based system) for those living with dementia to enjoy fun and creative activities. So please pop in to find out more!

Telephone the Dementia Friendly Keighley office on 07452 773 788 or email
info@dementiafriendlykeighley.org.uk

Carers Resource works in partnership with Dementia Friendly Keighley to provide support for unpaid carers. We meet carers in the office space and provide information on benefits, respite, care services, carers rights and planning for emergencies. We offer time for in-depth discussion around Carers health, promote self care and encourage motivation.

The Alzheimer’s Society offers information and support from diagnosis and through the dementia journey for people affected by dementia including carers, relatives and friends, we also work with professionals. We provide trained workers that will take a person centred approach and advise or work directly on all areas of life that dementia impacts, including managing the condition, coping strategies, benefits, planning for the future and developing social networks. We offer phone or face to face meetings to suit, we can meeting at a venue of your choice including home visits.

We are pleased to support the work of Dementia Friendly Keighley in their work and attend their drop in service monthly, if people require a more in depth discussion we can arrange an appointment at the drop in which can be arranged directly with the DFC Keighley team or by contacting ourselves.

The Wellbeing Cafe is organised and delivered by Keighley Healthy Living. Keighley’s Wellbeing Café provides support to older people with mild to moderate mental health needs and their carers. We meet for a few hours of fun, friendship and the chance to socialise, with entertainers, support, advice and information.

At Keighley’s Wellbeing Café you can:

• Be with your partner and be yourself for a few hours.
• Share your experience with others in a similar situation.
• Get advice on the services available.

The Wellbeing Café is held on the Third Monday of each month from 1:30pm until 3:30pm at Central Hall, Alice Street, Keighley, BD21 3JD. Costs £2 per session.

Telephone the Dementia Friendly Keighley office on 07452 773 788 or email
info@dementiafriendlykeighley.org.uk

The Co-op has chosen our Exercise Group to receive 1% of all members sales in store from certain items, plus the 5p levy on the plastic bags. The more members that join, the more money we will get, so please support this if you can!

Working with your local Co Op raising money to help people in Keighley to live well with Dementia:
click on the attached link to find out more https://membership.coop.co.uk/causes/14070/

The exercise class is a friendly and fun class and is led by Janice who is a health and fitness expert
The class is on a Monday 11:15am-12noon (excluding bank holidays), at Central Hall.
We welcome all abilities, even if you haven’t exercised for a while, you will be sure to enjoy the exercises. Wear clothing that allows you to move and all exercises are completed sitting down.
After the class there is a light lunch and an opportunity to socialise with other people.
The class is free of charge and a donation box is available should you want to make a small contribution.
So to find out more either contact Dementia Friendly Keighley or pop in to Central Hall and have a look for yourself.

Telephone the Dementia Friendly Keighley office on 07452 773 788 or email
info@dementiafriendlykeighley.org.uk

Magic Mavis Richardson will be taking up a swimming challenge during Dementia Awareness Week in May to raise money for Dementia Friendly Keighley. Octogenarian Mavis will swim one length for each year of her life and hopes to raise at least £1000.

More details about Mavis, her challenge and how to donate can be found at:

https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/ianbraithwaite1

Keighley Healthy Living are fully committed to supporting Dementia Friendly Keighley and people living with dementia.
We are a Dementia Friendly organisation with all our staff trained as Dementia Friends, including a Dementia Champion. KHL provides a safe space and a variety of groups such as the Wellbeing Café and our Devonshire Drop-in sessions and commit to support and develop future projects with DFK.

Airedale Shopping Centre recognises the importance of being a Dementia Friendly shopping centre, providing an invaluable and unique service for people living with dementia in the local community.

Dementia Friendly Keighley’s new store at Airedale Shopping Centre – Brunswick Arcade – provides those with dementia a place to engage and reflect, whilst their friend or family member can shop – knowing that a loved one is in excellent care.

The Airedale Shopping Centre
Management office
Keighley
West Yorkshire
BD21 3QQ

For all general enquiries, please call the Management Office on 01535 664 198.

Initial work between CBMDC and the Alzheimer’s Society resulted in a variety of locality approaches and in Keighley this was the forerunner to the formation of Dementia Friendly Keighley, as such we are a long-time supporter and associate of the group. We recognise and value the contribution they make to the lives of local residents affected by dementia, those living with the condition and their family, friends and carers. Thanks to the efforts of the group there is improved understanding, consideration and knowledge of dementia and their town centre presence is proving a valuable resource in expanding the work further.

As Project Support Administrator, I am here to oversee the smooth running of the office. Our aim is to provide support, guidance and activities for families, carers and individuals affected by Dementia in the Keighley area.
My professional background is finance, but my interest in the work of Dementia Friendly Keighley is personal. My mother lived with Dementia for six years and together with my father we cared for her at home up until the last six months of her life. I understand the challenges people affected by Dementia face and feel passionate about helping others who face similar challenges.
Its time to make a difference and help people to live well with Dementia.

If you would like to contact Helen either telephone the office on 07452 773 788 or email
info@dementiafriendlykeighley.org.uk

I am both delighted and excited to have joined DFK in the new role of Drop-in Coordinator.
Initially I will be focusing on the actual setting up of the drop-in element of our centre based in the
Airedale Shopping Centre in Keighley. Once we are ready to welcome our visitors we will have
created a warm, welcoming and positive space where people who are Carers and family members
can leave their loved ones who will stay with us for an hour or two, providing much needed free
time to attend appointments, browse the shops, or simply meet and catch up with friends and
family. The possibilities are endless, however they can spend their precious time-out with total
peace of mind and safe in the knowledge that their loved one is safe.
Whilst at the Drop-in, the kettle will always be at ready, there will be plenty of time to chat, laugh,
reminisce, share memories, or enjoy a relaxing hand massage…we will have a wide range of
activities available for those who would like to try something new or interesting. I am passionate
that we provide a person centred approach in our work in supporting people affected by
dementia; it is a cruel disease however I do believe that with the right support and great
understanding and love you can live well.
I travelled this very long and sometimes distressing journey with my own Mum; we as a family
looked after her at home for as long as it was possible and safe. I will never forget the anguish
that her vascular dementia brought to us all including Mum at its various stages. However to the
very end we could laugh with her, she maintained a radiant smile and loved her music.
My professional background has always been in the charity sector; working to support children
and young people (NSPCC), an international children’s charity providing healthcare and education
programmes (CIC), opening a centre to support people affected by breast cancer in Yorkshire
(Breast Cancer Haven) along with other varied projects.
I am thrilled to be in hometown working with DFK and supporting our community
Don’t be a stranger, please do come in and say hello you will be most welcome!
Together we really can make a difference to those who are affected by dementia.

If you would like to contact Kathryn either telephone the office on 07452 773 788 or email
info@dementiafriendlykeighley.org.uk

“I joined DFK to try and help make a difference in retail & shopping centre’s as unlike hospitals & care homes wehave no guidance notes or Regulations specific to Dementia and I wanted to be part of a group looking to improve the quality of life for everyone affected by Dementia in all aspects of their life. This group has clear ideals & ambitions is motivated, passionate and committed to making Keighley a Dementia Friendly town and being the Chair of this team is an honour and working with the Keighley and wider community has and is making a difference.”

If you would like to contact Steve either telephone the office on 07452 773 788 or email
info@dementiafriendlykeighley.org.uk

My reason for joining DFK was because my mum had dementia for 10 years and we went through most of that journey with very little help & support. We had nothing locally that we could engage with to see how other people were coping with this dreadful disease. Equally, the care and support from healthcare organisations was minimal too. I wanted to take all the negatives from our experience of living with Dementia and try to turn them into tangible and meaningful positive support for other families. As DFK was born, my mum passed away. My mum’s dementia journey has been the drive for me to try and help make a difference. Dementia Awareness is vital for everyone if we are to live in a Dementia Friendly Community. Everyone can play their part, shops, banks, businesses, schools, the media, community groups, faith groups, local & national government. ‘When the going get tough, the tough get going’; that’s what we do in Keighley and long may it continue..

If you would like to contact Sandra either telephone the office on 07452 773 788 or email
info@dementiafriendlykeighley.org.uk