An ABCD community approach to supporting people with dementia in Stroud

Four years ago Lilian Faithfull Care approached me with a view to starting a Meeting Centre in Stroud following the person centred model of care developed successfully in Holland in the 1990’s, which focuses on promoting well-being, independence, and social engagement for individuals with dementia.

In collaboration with Lilian Faithfull and Stroud District Council, EngageD Now have been running a successful community lunch, open to all, in Uplands Stroud, with around 15 guests each week, one third of whom may have dementia. There is a lot of input from the guests and it has been heartening witnessing the genuine welcome given to newcomers.

Last year, we decided to shift the focus away from a single meeting centre and to take our approach out to different community groups and venues, where we hope to draw on  community strengths and energy, and to support others in creating spaces where people living with dementia will thrive, continue to play an active part in community life, be recognised for what they can do and not defined by their disability or illness. This will work well with promoting the Stroud Dementia Action Alliance that we are part of.

We have secured funding from a number of sources including, crucially, Barnwood Trust, a progressive and innovative disability funder based in Gloucestershire. This has enabled us to employ a apart time Community Engagement Coordinator to work with community groups and hubs and liaise with doctors’ surgeries, and other referring agencies. There is growing evidence supporting the importance of the positive psychology approach that we have, and so we are particularly keen to see people in the period immediately after – and indeed during – the lengthy process of assessment, when morale is low and a positive narrative essential.

An Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) approach, which is consistent with our positive psychology approach, is key to our strategy, drawing on community assets and on what those engaging with us, can and wish to do; it enables people with dementia and their carers’ voices to be heard, their rights and agency respected,  and for them actively to participate in planning and decision-making processes. Our modus operandi is very much  doing “with” rather than “to” individuals and we aspire to following the rights and empowerment based Mental Health Foundation’s 2016, (opens new window) a ‘Social’ rather than ‘Medical Model’ from the perspective of people with dementia.

The tricky bit will be offering the community hubs we engage with proactive support that will give them confidence in positive risk-taking, e.g. with volunteering roles, for people with dementia, and equipping them to recognise the inevitable progression of the condition and to act accordingly. The jury is out on how our ABCD approach will work; however, there is growing evidence that the approach leads to improved social engagement, an enhanced sense of purpose and belonging, less stigma and a generally better quality of life so that people with dementia can be better engaged now.

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John Colquhoun is a Trustee of EngageD Now (opens new window) CIO promoting positive psychology approach for supporting people with diagnosis of dementia in Stroud, Gloucestershire.

If you found this of interest, check our the dedicated pages on dementia on the Housing LIN website, including the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Housing and Care for Older People Inquiry report, Housing for People living with Dementia: Are we ready?

And to coincide with Dementia Action Week in May this year, the Housing LIN HAPPI Hour webinar will be featuring the work of the Dementia & Housing Working Group. More details about the session to follow on the Housing LIN Forthcoming Events page.