Focus on: Plans to improve Tolworth Hospital & a Chance to Meet David Bradley South West London and St. George's Mental Health Trust (the Trust) are planning to develop new health facilities at the Tolworth hospital site. Tolworth Hospital would become a modern centre of excellence, facilitating the delivery of expert mental health care. Background - The Trust has been delivering local health services since its formation in 1994 and we now have an opportunity to create modern mental health inpatient services at Tolworth Hospital, which could be amongst the best in the country. The existing Tolworth Hospital buildings are mainly old, unsuitable and expensive to run, which means the Trust has less to spend on frontline services and jobs. Key facts - Existing facilities at Tolworth Hospital do not meet today's needs: Some accommodation at the site dates back to the Victorian era; The Trust has a lot of inpatient accommodation that is below accepted standards; Some patients have to stay in open plan wards; Very few patients have an en suite bathrooms; Ward layouts make nursing difficult as sight lines are poor; Wards have been placed where they fit - not necessarily in the right place to work with other services or to meet the needs of local people. Investing in Tolworth Hospital: The Trust is planning on redeveloping Tolworth Hospital. The costs are more than outweighed by the clinical benefits for service users and by reductions in running costs associated with the current, outdated buildings. The new facilities would meet the latest standards for mental health care as suggested by the Care Quality Commission (the NHS regulator). Under this option everyone would receive care and accommodation of the very best standard. Benefits - Investing in new health facilities in Tolworth; Updating the current, outdated buildings; Improving ward layouts, creating a good environment for patients and staff; Effective use of NHS resources in the long term; Providing care and accommodation of the very best standard; Reducing the hospital’s running cost so more can be spent on frontline services and jobs. Next Steps - The Trust has submitted plans to Kingston Borough Council. These can be found at http://www.kingston.gov.uk/info/200155/planning/263/find_a_planning_ap plication_or_appeal. Based on current timelines it is envisaged that construction to deliver these proposals would not take place on the site
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until Autumn/Winter 2017/18. If you would like to contact the Trust about the Estate Modernisation Programme, you can email regeneration@swlstg-tr.nhs.uk or telephone 020 3513 5992. Taken from: http://www.swlstg-tr.nhs.uk/about-us/estates-modernisation/tolworthredevelopment/
Come and meet David Bradley, Chief Executive of the Trust. Carers are once again invited to come and meet with him in th an informal setting at the Noble Centre on Thursday 29 October 2015 between 5:30pm and 7:30pm. Refreshments will be provided. Spaces are limited so, if you would like to attend, please contact Veronica on 020 3031 2755 or email carers2@kingstoncarers.org.uk to secure your place.
Carers of People with Mental Health Issues World Mental Health Day is Saturday 10th October, with this year’s theme being Dignity and Mental Health. A range of events will be held leading up to the day and will be publicised throughout the borough, with Mind in Kingston hosting its annual Arts & Music Festival for the Mind on World Mental Health Day at All Saints Church in Kingston. Do you live in Kingston? Have you supported or cared for a family member suffering from depression, self-harm or suicidal thoughts and have views on local services? The Public Health Team at the Royal Borough of Kingston are consulting individuals and families who have been affected by depression, self-harm and suicide. The primary purpose of the consultation is to explore people’s knowledge and experiences of local services and the findings from the work will be used to inform future clinical services and prevention strategies in the borough. The consultation is being carried out by Dr Carlie Goldsmith from North Social Research (www.north-rtd.co.uk). Carlie is currently recruiting people to take part in the consultation. She is interested in hearing from two groups of people who are willing to share their experiences and take part in an informal interview for the consultation.
People who have suffered from depression, self-harm and/or suicidal thoughts and live in Kingston
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People who have a family member who has suffered with depression, self-harm and/or suicidal thoughts and have been affected by this Interviews will be conducted in person or over the telephone and will last approximately 30-45 minutes. During the interview you will be asked questions about your experiences. Interviews are very informal, are confidential and all travel expenses will be reimbursed. If you are either willing to take part in an interview, or are interested but would like to know more about the consultation first, please contact Carlie on carlieg@north-rtd.co.uk or text RESEARCH with your name to 07807 629915 and she will get back to you. King's College London (KCL) have developed a new online course focused on some of the relevant issues for carers of people with psychosis and schizophrenia. The initiative was funded from the Otsuka Lundbeck Alliance but the course was developed independently by KCL and will run through FutureLearn (part of the Open University). It is a global course and open and free to anyone in the world. It is a two week course designed to offer an in-depth understanding of some of the key issues and questions relevant to carers supporting people with psychotic disorders, including: Why is schizophrenia commonly described as psychosis?; How can we best understand psychosis and its key symptoms such as hearing voices?: What are the links between cannabis use and developing psychosis?: Can psychosis affect physical health?: How do medications work and what effects can they have?: In what ways are siblings of people with psychosis affected?: How can psychosis affect a carer’s health and their relationships? The course includes a mixture of activities such as talking head videos, quizzes, written texts and opportunities for moderated discussions between learners. It will be the first time a course like this has been developed for carers. The course includes people with lived experience of caring and a number of leading national and international academics and clinicians from psychology, psychiatry, pharmacy and nursing including: Professor Elizabeth Kuipers (Chair of the NICE Guidelines for Psychosis & Schizophrenia); Professor Sir Robin Murray (Chair of the Schizophrenia Commission); Professor Mike Slade (100 ways to support recovery); Professor David Taylor (Author of the Maudsley Prescribing Guidelines); Dr Fiona Gaughran (Lead Consultant, National Psychosis Unit). The course is open to anyone with an interest in psychosis and caregiving issues, although it was designed with carers in mind. No previous knowledge of psychosis or experience of caring is required to take the course. The course is based on approximately 3 to 4 hours per week study and you can study how you like, in your own time. It is about flexible learning, in a style that best suits you eg if you want to
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do five minutes, you can do that, if you want to study for more, you can do that too. The course starts 12th October 2015 and enrolment is now open. Sign up on http://www.futurelearn.com/courses/caringpsychosis-schizophrenia. The British Society for Mental Health and Deafness (BSMHD) is unique in the UK as it is the only UK charity that focuses entirely on the promotion of the positive mental health of deaf people. Mental health includes healthy emotional, psychological and social development, the prevention and treatment of mental illness and other disorders. Although the main focus is on those whose first or preferred language is sign language, BSMHD is interested in the mental health of all deaf people, whatever their language preference, age of onset or degree of deafness. Deaf people who are British Sign Language users are almost twice as likely to have mental health issues compared with the general population (40% against 25%). In addition, people with mental health and deafness issues (multiple needs) often face marginalisation from mainstream society. There is a great deal of stigma attached to mental health in the Deaf community, thus leading to isolation and loneliness in a close knit community. BSMHD are actively working to reduce this stigma throughout the UK. Visit the website for more information at www.bsmhd.org.uk. A free “Recovery from Self-harm” app, designed to be discreet and accessible to those increasingly struggling with self-harm, was developed by Broadway Lodge, with help from the Big Lottery fund and the Avon and Somerset Police Community Trust. It is available from the Apple App store and can be downloaded for free on any Apple device (search for “Recovery from self-harm”). Users can have immediate access to websites, online support groups and contacts, videos of professionals giving advice helping them to seek support and recovery. There is also a Fact or Fiction exercise about the misconceptions and facts of self-harm. 7 Cups of Tea is an on-demand emotional health and well-being service that anonymously and securely connects real people to real listeners in one-on-one chat. Anyone who wants to talk about whatever is on their mind can quickly reach out to a trained, compassionate listener through its network of hundreds of listeners from all walks of life with diverse experiences. People connect with listeners on 7 Cups of Tea for all kinds of reasons, from big existential thoughts to small, day-to-day things that we all experience. Unlike talking to family or friends, a 7 Cups of Tea listener doesn’t judge or try to solve problems and say what to do. Listeners just listen. They understand. They give you the space you need to help you clear your head. Connect with a listener by requesting the first
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available listener, or by selecting a specific listener from its community (eg you can type ‘carers’ into the keyword box for a list of listeners with that interest or experience). All listeners have completed 7 Cups of Tea’s Active Listening training program, a course designed by psychologist in residence, Glen Moriarty (CEO & Founder). 7 Cups of Teas can be accessed online at http://www.7cupsoftea.com/ and as an app via the Android and iOS App Stores. SANE provides emotional support and information to anyone affected by mental illness, including families, friends and carers. Their mental health support services are completely confidential. Whatever your problems or concerns, you will receive non-judgemental emotional support. Their professional staff and trained volunteers have specialist mental health knowledge; they can help you consider options for support that address your individual circumstances. Their services and support options are designed to provide a range of ways of getting and giving support, and considering self-help and self-management strategies. Services/support options are: Helpline (0300 304 7000 every evening 6pm-11pm); Textcare (arrange messages of support at times that are right for you); Support Forum (share experiences with other members, give/receive mutual support 24 hours a day); Letters (SANE Services, St Mark's Studios, 14 Chillingworth Road, Islington, London N7 8QJ); Facebook and Twitter (Their social media communities are a good source of contact, support and sharing. You can see all the content even if you don't have a Facebook or Twitter account). More information from http://www.sane.org.uk/what_we_do/support/. New apps are being developed all the time and there are a wide variety of mental health apps now available. These can give access to a wide range of information and tools to assist with mental health and wellbeing. Covering topics from depression, physical health, mindfulness to sleep deprivation, there is a lot of choice out there! Many are paid for or subscription apps (such as mobile e-therapy) although free ones are available including some useful mood/through mapping apps. The NHS Choices website now has a 'library' of mental health apps which have been reviewed and approved by clinicians, giving a brief outline of what they do, which platform they are available on and whether they are paid or free. You can view these at http://apps.nhs.uk/apps/mental_health/?paged=all. Beat now offer online emotional overeating support groups four times each month, and telephone support once a month for those struggling with emotional overeating or binge eating disorder. The groups provide a welcoming, non-judgemental, peer supported space, facilitated by Beat staff and volunteers. For more information, email Eve Edwards at
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e.edwards@b-eat.co.uk, call her on 01603 753307 or visit http://www.beat.co.uk/support-services/local-support-groups/emotional-overeatingsupport-group for more information.
Carers of People with Substance Misuse Issues DrugFAM’s Central London Family Support group has moved and will be held for the foreseeable future at 29 St Charles Square, London W10 6EF. The nearest tube station is Ladbroke Grove, on the Hammersmith and City & Circle Lines. The support group meets weekly on Mondays from 6:30pm8:30pm. For more information contact office@drugfam.co.uk or call 01494 442 777. Nar-Anon Family Groups are self-help support groups for families and friends of compulsive drug users and are for those who know or have known a feeling of desperation due to the addiction problem of someone close to them. Members meet anonymously to gain an understanding of the user's behaviour and how to cope with it. Sharing in the experiences of others can provide guidance in coping with day-to-day crises. Open Meetings are held at St Lukes Church, Fernhead Road, London W9 3EH on Saturdays from 10:30am to 11:45am with parking available. Alternatively, Skype Meetings take place on Thursday evenings - 89pm. The Skype Address is: nar-anonuk and you will need to add naranonuk to your address book in Skype to activate a request. Once the request has been accepted by Nar-Anon, you will be added to the call list for the meeting. The leader will ring all on the call list at 8.10pm on the following Thursday. For more information, visit http://www.naranon.co.uk/. Adfam's Older Carers’ Peer-led Support Group (for carers aged rd th 55+) will meet on Wednesday 23 September and Monday 26 October from 11am-2.30pm at AGE UK London Offices (Elephant and Castle) 21 Saint George's Road, London SE1 6ES (on the corner of Oswin Street). Lunch will be provided and all travel expenses reimbursed. If you would like to attend the sessions or have any questions, please contact Oliver Standing (Head of Policy and Projects) by email at o.standing@adfam.org.uk or call 0207 553 7640. LGB or T? Worried about your (or someone else’s) drug or alcohol use? Antidote can help - whether you (or someone you know) want to quit, are thinking of cutting down, or would just like some support or advice about playing more safely. Antidote is the UK’s only LGB&T run and targeted drug and alcohol support service. Set up over 10 years ago,
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they work with both drug and alcohol users and healthcare professionals. They give non-judgemental free advice and support delivered by highly trained staff and volunteers – all of whom identify as LGB or T, and who have a good understanding of the pressures and problems that come with recreational drug or alcohol use. They offer: A structured weekend programme; One-to-one key working to address immediate drug and alcohol support needs; Referral to detox clinics and prescribing centres; Referral to their counselling service; Drop-ins to discuss drug and alcohol issues, sexual health and steroid use issues; A telephone advice helpline; Training and support for healthcare professionals; Women workers are available across the service. Call 020 7833 1674 (10am-6pm, Monday to Friday) and ask for one of the Antidote Team or email antidote@londonfriend.org.uk. The U-turn Opiate Overdose Response app is free, interactive and designed to help people respond to overdoses. It is for people who use opiate drugs, their friends, family members, addiction workers, homelessness staff and others concerned with their welfare. People using opiates like heroin, morphine, codeine, fentanyl and methadone (whether these are prescribed or illicit) can be at risk of overdose. Many people who come across an overdosed person have little confidence or knowledge of what to do when faced with such a scenario. The app is designed to help reduce the risk of an overdose happening and prevent loss of life if one does occur outside of a hospital setting. The aim is to give the overdosed person the maximum chance to survive. There are 5 sections including ‘Your Guide’ and ‘It’s an Emergency’ as well as a ‘Useful Info’ section. The Guide is a learning resource like a training manual, preparing you to intervene effectively if an overdose ever occurs. The Emergency section is used when someone comes across a real opiate overdose. It gives interactive audio and visual advice assisted by large press-button options to help you manage the overdose prior to the arrival of emergency services. It will guide you through recognising opiate overdose, assessing risks to yourself, checking the person’s airway and for breathing correctly. Then it provides simple, easy-to-follow audio and visual advice on techniques such as putting the person in the recovery position or administering CPR and giving naloxone (an opiate reversal drug) if it is available. The guidance given is in line with reviewed best practice and the emerging evidence-base on overdose/resuscitation. It is appropriate for the UK and other countries which follow UK Basic Life Support protocols. The app is available for both iPhone and Android phones. DrugFAM understand that living with addiction is not a 9-5 problem. Very often weekends, holidays and evenings can be the most distressing. The telephone is the quickest and easiest way to get advice and support
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when you need it most. They have a team of trained staff to take your call whenever you need them and know a lot about what can help you through tough times. Many of their staff and volunteers have direct personal experience of how addiction affected their family. They can help you explore your options, understand your problems better, or just be there to listen. Don’t be alone, pick up the phone 0300 888 3853. You can Skype Gill Owen-Conway via drugfam.support on Monday afternoons from 1-5pm and text or ring her DrugFAM Mobile 07725908399 or email gill@drugfam.co.uk. Entry to Adfam’s annual Family Voices competition is now open. The competition allows friends and family members who have lived through someone else’s substance use to express their thoughts and feelings in a creative and constructive way. While it is often difficult to talk about this subject, it can be helpful to write about it. Entries must be received by 31 October 2015 and winners will be notified by 10 November 2015. There is a grand prize of £150 for the winner and prizes of £100 each for the two runners up, all of whom will be invited to the annual Carol Concert on 3 December 2015 at St Brides in Fleet Street, where their work will read aloud by a guest speaker. All travel and overnight accommodation costs are included as part of the prize. Send your entries to Family Voices Competition: Adfam, 25 Corsham Street, London N1 6DR or email carols@adfam.org.uk (please include your name and contact details).
Carers of People with Dementia Sunday 13th September is National Dementia Carers’ Day 2015, a UK-wide awareness day, falling within World Alzheimer’s Month. There are over 800,000 people living today with dementia, many cared for by loved ones, friends and other important people in their lives. National Dementia Carers’ Day has been created to recognise and celebrate the vital role that they play. For more information about National Dementia Carers’ Day, visit www.nationaldementiacarersday.org.uk. People diagnosed with dementia under the age of 65 are often described as 'younger people with dementia' by health and social care professionals. Other terms used include 'early onset dementia', 'youngonset dementia', and 'working age dementia'. The symptoms of dementia may be similar regardless of a person's age, but younger people may have different needs and require some different support. In general, younger people with dementia are more likely to: be in work at the time of diagnosis; have a partner who still works; have dependent children; have
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ageing parents who they need to care for; be more physically fit and active; have heavy financial commitments, such as a mortgage; have a rarer form of dementia; have an inherited form of dementia. Because dementia in younger people is comparatively rare, it can be difficult to find other people who understand the situation. Alzheimer's Society can put younger people with dementia, their families or carers in contact with others in their local area, or in similar circumstances and hosts an online discussion group called Talking Point, which has a dedicated group for younger people at alzheimers.org.uk/talkingpoint. Admiral Nurses are specialist dementia nurses who give muchneeded practical and emotional support to carers, as well as the person with dementia. They offer support to families that is tailored to their individual needs and challenges and provide families with the knowledge to understand the condition and its effects, the skills and tools to improve communication, and emotional and psychological support to help carers carry on caring. SweetTree Homecare Services, a Richmond-based home care provider, is one of the first home care providers (with support from Dementia UK) to develop an Admiral Nursing Service which the families of people receiving care packages from them can automatically access at no extra cost. Carers of people that do not have a care package from SweetTree are able to self-refer and for a flat rate fee, can access up to 2 hours’ support. Rikki Lorenti is the SweetTree Admiral Nurse and he is happy to provide more information. Contact him at Rikki.lorenti@sweettree.co.uk or call 020 7624 9944. If the person you support experiences ‘urge incontinence’ that makes them suddenly require a toilet to use when you are out and about, The Bowel and Bladder Foundation have produced the Just Can't Wait toilet card. You can show this card when you are out shopping or socialising and it may help you gain access to a toilet. The card states that the card holder has a medical condition which requires the urgent need of a toilet. Although the card does not guarantee you access to a toilet many places will be willing to help. There is a £5 charge for the card to cover production, postage and administration. You can apply for one online at http://www.bladderandbowelfoundation.org/resources/toilet-card/ and pay for it by PayPal. If you do not want to use PayPal, call 01536 533255 or email info@bladderandbowelfoundaion.org for other payment options. Join Dementia Research (www.joindementiaresearch.nihr.ac.uk) is a nationwide online and telephone service that makes it easier for people to register their interest in volunteering for dementia research studies.
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Why is the service important? - Dementia affects over 850,000 people in the UK, but currently less than 5% of people with dementia take part in research. There are numerous questions about the cause, diagnosis, treatments, and best care for which there are no clear answers yet. Research into dementia will help find these answers. Who can get involved? - Anyone, with or without dementia, can register as a volunteer or sign-up for someone else, providing that you have their consent. You must be 18 or over. What is so special about the service? - You can see which studies your information matches to. However, there is absolutely no obligation to take part in any of the studies. Current research studies range from clinical trials of new treatments to surveys identifying what works in improving the quality of life of people with dementia. What studies are available in for carers? The Validation of a Tool to Assess Daily Activities study is looking at changes in the motivation and performance of activities of daily living in people with a diagnosis of mild dementia. This is then analysed against the results of the wellbeing of both the carer and the person with dementia. This research is assessed through questionnaires completed by the carers of the people with dementia. http://news.joindementiaresearch.nihr.ac.uk/brief-questionnaire-carerspeople-mild-dementia/. The Cognition and Everyday Function in Early Dementia study involves informal carers. The study tries to evaluate how memory and the ability to process information (cognition), is linked to performance of everyday tasks such as preparing a hot meal or taking medication. Little is known about how individual everyday tasks rely on specific cognitive functions. This study will assess these very detailed relationships, which will guide the development of targeted interventions in the early stages of dementia. http://news.joindementiaresearch.nihr.ac.uk/cognition-everyday-functionearly-dementia/. How can people get involved? - You can register for the service by: 1) Visiting www.joindementiaresearch.nihr.ac.uk; 2) Contacting one of the charities’ helplines: Alzheimer's Research UK: 0300 111 5 111, Alzheimer's Society: 0300 222 1122, Alzheimer Scotland: 0808 808 3 000 - And don’t forget to spread the word among your friends and family. If you are a carer, relative or friend of someone with dementia at St George’s Hospital, confidential support, information and advice is available weekly from the Alzheimer’s Society. Carer consultations take place every Wednesday 11am-7pm in Professor Millard Seminar rd Room, 3 Floor of Lanesborough Wing. For more information please contact Faye Shonfeld, Dementia Support Manager, Alzheimer’s Society on 07889 592 103 or by email faye.shonfeld@alzheimers.org.uk or call Jen Tulloch, Clinical Nurse Specialist for Dementia on 0208 725 4051.
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What's On? nd
Kingston Bipolar UK Group is open to carers and meets every 2 Monday of the month from 7:30pm-9pm at Kingston Quaker Centre, th Fairfield East, Kingston KT1 2PT. The next meetings are: 14 th th th September, 12 October, 9 November, 14 December. For more information: 020 7931 6480 or groupdevelopment@bipolaruk.org.uk. st
Alzheimer’s Society Kingston holds a carer support group on the 1 Tuesday of each month at the Noble Centre, 109a Blagdon Road, New Malden KT3 4BD between 10:30am and 12:30pm. The next st th rd th meeting dates are: 1 September, 6 October, 3 November, 8 December. Places are limited so please contact them on 020 3513 5147 or kingstonoffice@alzheimers.org.uk for more information. ‘South Place’ Mental Health Carers’ Support Group welcomes all relatives and carers of adults with mental health problems. It meets on nd the 2 Tuesday of each month, at Tolworth Hospital, Hughes Room B, Red Lion Road, Tolworth KT6 7QU. Meetings are from 6:00pm7:15pm but may be extended to 7:45pm when there are guest speakers. Light refreshments are provided. The next meeting dates are: th th th th 8 September, 13 October, 10 November, 15 December.
A bi-weekly Memory Café is held at Kingston Hospital for people with memory loss and their carers on alternate Tuesday afternoons, 2pm4pm at Kingston Hospital, back of the restaurant, Kingston Surgical Centre. For more information call 020 8934 2800 or email claire.wright@kingstonhospital.nhs.uk Support is provided on Lilacs ward to carers by Kingston Mental Health Carers’ Forum (KMHCF) on the last Tuesday of the month from th th 10am-11am (to coincide with ward rounds); 29 September, 27 th th October, 24 November, 29 December. For more information contact 07983 063 578 or email info@kmhcf.org.uk. Rethink’s Merton & Sutton branch covers the Kingston area and holds meetings that are open to carers on the last Tuesday of the month from 7.30pm to 9pm at Wimbledon Guild, 30-32 Worple Road, Wimbledon, SW19 4EF. In alternate months the meeting is either a discussion for carers only, or a joint meeting for carers and users to which speakers are invited. For more information call 020 8542 3657 or email mertonandsuttongroup@rethink.org
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Kingston Wellbeing Service offers a facilitated mutual aid group for parents, carers and significant others of people receiving treatment from them every Tuesday 10am to 11am on a drop in basis at Surbiton Health Centre. NB: The group is available ONLY to carers of people being supported by the Wellbeing Service. Al-Anon hold meetings for anyone who feels that their lives have been deeply affected by another person's drinking every Tuesday from 8pm to 9:30pm at the Methodist Church Hall, Avenue Road, Fairfield South, Kingston upon Thames KT1 2UJ. (People are recommended to attend about six meetings before deciding whether Al-Anon is for them.) Home Instead has launched a new monthly Memory Café in New nd Malden for people with memory loss and their carers every 2 Wednesday of the month from 2pm-4pm at the Coffee Bar in the Methodist Church, 49 High Street, New Malden KT3 4BY. Teas and th coffees provided but donations welcomed. The first date is 9 th th th September, followed by: 14 October, 11 November, 9 December. ASCA runs a support group for carers of people who misuse drugs or alcohol every Wednesday from 6pm-7:30pm at 96 Ditton Road, Surbiton, KT6 6RH. For more details contact Donald on 020 8339 9899. Home Instead run a bi-weekly Memory Café for people with memory st rd loss and their carers every 1 and 3 Friday of the month with a choice of two sessions available on each day, either from 10am12noon or 2pm-4pm at the Rose Theatre, 24-26 High Street, Kingston th th nd KT1 1HL. The next dates are: 4 September & 18 September, 2 th th th th October & 16 October, 6 November & 20 November, 4 th December & 18 December. Staywell (formerly Age Concern Kingston) runs a Dementia nd Saturday Club on the 2 Saturday of the month from 11am to 2pm at Raleigh House in New Malden offering a social space for clients and carers, lunch (£5 per person). To find out more, contact 020 8942 8256.
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