Dementia support
We're committed to making a real difference for people living with dementiaAt Connect we want to make a real difference for people living with dementia, supporting people to remain independent, live well, and stay in their own homes for as long as possible.
If you or someone in your family is living with dementia we can provide support in several ways:
- We may be able to help with aids and adaptations and assistive technology.
- If you live in Leeds, we can refer you to the Engage Leeds Housing Dementia Support Service which is delivered by Connect staff. In other areas, we will sign post you to a local service.
- We may be able to link you up with a Dementia Support Network in the area where you live.
- If you have told us that you are living with dementia, this will be recorded on our housing system so that we can deliver services to you in a dementia friendly way.
The number of people living with dementia in the UK is expected to double between 2025 and 2050 to almost two million. Dementia can affect anyone, and everyone’s experience will be different. We are all likely to know someone who is living with dementia.
Dementia champions and training
As part of our commitment to making a real difference for people living with dementia, we have a Connect Dementia Champion – Christine Fox, Director of Customer and Community Services – who represents Connect on the West Yorkshire Housing Partnership Dementia Champions Network. Our CEO Helen Lennon is also chair of the West Yorkshire Dementia Taskforce.
We are rolling out Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Friends training to our staff and some of our partner organisations; so far, we have trained 233 people. This means staff have an awareness of what it means to live with dementia and will understand if you need more time to go over letters or information that we might send you. We will take the time to explain what you may need to do and provide reassurance.
Dementia-ready housing design
We have adopted the West Yorkshire dementia-ready housing design criteria which we are applying to new homes that we build and – where we can – to homes that we are upgrading. Here’s a video showing how, in consultation with residents, we improved the communal areas at one of our housing developments in Leeds.
Engage Leeds
For eight years, as part of Engage Leeds service, we have been delivering a housing related support service to people living with dementia and other conditions that result in memory issues; the team that provide the service share their expertise and knowledge across Connect.
Dementia awareness
We aim to help raise awareness about dementia by actively supporting Dementia Awareness Week and contributing to local initiatives that support people to live well with Dementia such as local memory cafes and groups and delivering Dementia Friends training.
Other support available:
National resources
Several other organisations offer resources and advice about living with dementia:
- Alzheimer’s Society
- Dementia Engagement and Empowerment Project
- Dementia Action Alliance
- Dementia UK
- Dementia Support Line number: 0333 150 3456
Bradford
Information and advice for anyone living in Bradford concerned about their memory or living with dementia, and their carers, families and friends.
Calderdale
Offers an information and advice service for anyone with dementia and their friends, family and carers.
Kirklees
A free information and advice service for people living with dementia, their carers, family and friends in Kirklees.
Leeds
Support service which gives personalised help and advice face to face or over the phone.
Engage Leeds Dementia Housing Support Workers
Provides housing-related support to people with dementia and conditions that result in memory issues such as brain injury and strokes. Supports people to maintain their current tenancy through adaptations, technology or care.
Wakefield
Support service which gives personalised help and advice face to face, over the phone or in writing to people affected by dementia. Provided by Alzheimer’s Society.