A course run by St Giles Hospice which helps carers to look after people with dementia has been recognised at a national awards ceremony.
Run in partnership with Accord’s Pathways4Life, the programme won the Dementia Care at Home Award at the ninth annual Hospice UK Awards.
The four-week training, which was designed to support unpaid carers in the community, has been attended by 106 people since its launch in 2017.
Emily Pardoe-Billings, course organiser and dementia advisor at Whittington-based St Giles Hospice, said:
“We’re delighted to have won this award.
“It’s fantastic recognition of the support that St Giles and Accord offer to carers.
“So often people are uncertain about what the future could hold following diagnosis and how to support a person with dementia.
“By attending the course they meet other carers and learn from their experiences, as well as gaining the support of others going through the same situation.
“It’s wonderful that so many people have taken part on the course and we hope that it has helped them and their family members with their journey through dementia.”
Emily Pardoe-Billings, St Giles Hospice
The course covers a range of topics, including how carers can look after themselves, how to deal with challenging behaviours and support around having advance care planning discussions.
Pat Roberts, from Accord, said:
“All sessions are attended by family members and they appeared to find the sessions helpful to gain more information about dementia, but also as a platform to discuss emotions with other people in the same situation whilst building new friendships.”
Pat Roberts, Accord
