Dementia Navigators

Everyone has a life history and now people living with dementia in Sandwell will have their life stories remembered forever thanks to a special initiative through the Dementia Navigators service.

With face to face groups and classes having to stop due to Covid, the Sandwell Dementia Navigators service has found innovative ways to help people living with dementia enjoy meaningful activities at home.

Thanks to Kingfisher Buddies, two local people with dementia have become film stars and their life stories have been recorded for future generations of their family.

Through Agewell’s Kingfisher Buddies groups, Reuben Harris has found friendship, support and a new focus in life.

Kingfisher Buddies’ Community Pathfinders, Debra Pierson and Sandra Graham, were shortlisted for the national Margaret Butterworth Award 2019 for excellence in dementia care and at the awards ceremony on 11th July in London they were delighted to be commended with distinction.

Kingfisher Buddies members enjoyed a delicious Afternoon Tea at the Ibis Hotel in Oldbury in July.

Kingfisher Buddies client Archie Slater, is having fun with Community Pathfinder Sandra Graham as they both swipe away clouds to reveal an image of London's Leicester Square.

Agewell has recently teamed up with national organisation, Unforgettable, to spark special memories for local people with dementia.

We were delighted to attend the Rowley Regis Community Awards ceremony in February and win the Community Partnership Award, which recognises our work with GP-led partnership, Your Health Partnership, to support local people diagnosed with dementia and their carers.

For Mick Hill, the Kingfisher Buddies groups are literally a life-saver.