What do local support groups offer?
Health Visitors
Health visitors are able to give information and advice to people on how to stay healthy. They help people who are experiencing health problems by referring them to the appropriate services.
Tel: 01481 220000 – ext 3451
Sitting Service
The sitting service is available if you need a break from caring. It can provide the opportunity for a carer to have some time to themselves to attend appointments, meet friends or family, do errands or just have a rest.
Tel: 01481 220000 – ext 3451
or 01481 245121 (Guernsey Alzheimer’s Association)
Carers Coming Together
Offer a wide range of activities and support for those who are looking after a loved one at home or in a nursing home. They also provide support for recently bereaved carers. They hold monthly Away Days for carers at Les Cotils offering time to relax. Services include a listening service, creative activities, professional massage, manicures, and visits to places of interests, a subsidised lunch followed by talks on various topics.
Coffee, Chat & Cake every First Thursday of the month at Les Cotils form 10am – 12 noon
Tel: 01481 255264 or 07781 435420, or email revjanleb@gmail.com
Men’s Monthly Suppers
Meet on the first Monday of the month at 6pm at Les Cotils, St Peter Port. They offer support for men caring for a loved one and also those recently bereaved. If you are not able to drive or need someone to sit with your loved one whilst you go to supper they are able to put you in touch with a voluntary car organisation or the HSSD sitters scheme.
Tel: 01481 234283 or 07781 435420
Azheimer’s Society
The Alzheimer’s Society offers a range of services for people affected by dementia, their carers and families:
Cognitive Stimulation Therapy is a group for people with mild to moderate dementia. The activities offered aim to stimulate people’s minds to keep them active and engaged.
Fortnightly on Tuesdays, 10:00-11.30 at Rosaire Court, Rosaire Avenue, St. Peter Port, Guernsey GY1 1XW.
Tel: 07911 738774
Activity groups give people affected by dementia the opportunity to take part in a variety of fun, stimulating activities. There is a focus on socialising and getting to know the others in the group.
Every Wednesday, 14:00-17:00 at Rosaire Court, Rosaire Avenue, St. Peter Port, Guernsey GY1 1XW.
Tel: 07911 738774
Singing for the Brain brings people together in a friendly, fun and social environment. Based around the principles of music therapy, the stimulating sessions include vocal warm-ups and singing a wide variety of familiar and new songs. Every Friday, 14:00-16:00 at Professor Shaw Centre, (St Martin’s Community Centre), La Rue Maze, St Martin GY4 6RR.
Tel: 07911 738774
Dementia Advice Service – Dementia Advisers offer information and practical guidance to help people understand dementia, cope with day-to-day challenges and prepare for the future.
Tel: 07911 738774
They will offer personalised information, practical tips and advice to support you to live well. The drop-ins are at Rosaire Court, Rosaire Avenue, St Peter Port, GY1 1XW on the first Thursday of the month from 14:30-16:30 and at La Nouvelle Maraitaine Community Library, Rue Maraitaine, Vale, GY3 5DQ on the last Thursday of the month from 10:00-12:00.
Tel: 07911 738774
Tovertafel
Drop-in session every Thursday morning 10:00-12:00 at La Nouvelle Maraitaine Community Library. The Tovertafel is a magic table that creates moments of happiness for people living with dementia. This groundbreaking technology uses interactive light projections to entice children, adults and older people to get moving and have fun together. If you’re interested in arranging a visit outside of these hours, contact Jackie using the information below.
For more information, please contact Jackie Burgess
Tel: 720392 or email jburgess@library.gg
The Willows Day Centre
The Willows is a daycare centre staffed by Registered nurses, an Occupational Therapist and Activities Co-ordinators. We are open Monday to Friday between 9.30 and 3pm .
We are a specialist service, maximizing well-being and opportunities for older people living with dementia and mental illness whilst ensuring respect, dignity and choice.
The service uses therapeutic activities to help:
- Reduce social isolation
- Encourage hobbies & interests
- Enhance well-being
- Build relationships
- Increase confidence
- Maintain independence
- Improve / Maintain daily living skills
- Provide carer respite
Referrals can be made through your GP or health care professional.
For more information, please contact Kirsteen Heneghan – Willows Day Centre Manager
Tel: 01481 222 019
Community Services
The Community Care Team provides nursing and social support in the home of those people aged over 18 years. They aim to help people remain independent in their own homes. The team consists of Social Workers, Senior Carers, Carers, District Nurses, Community Staff Nurses, Auxilliary Nurses, Occupational Therapist and Support Workers.
Tel: 01481 220000 – ext 3367
Respite Care
Respite Care is a service that offers carers a break from ongoing responsibility of caring for an ill, frail or disabled adult who is being looked after at home by providing a short stay in a residential home, nursing home or hospital for the cared for person.
Tel: 01481 220000 – ext 3313
Age Concern Guernsey
Weekly social events (games chat and refreshments) are held at four centres in Guernsey. In addition, lunches and outings are also organised. There is an outside exercise park at STYX (Western Community Centre St Peters) with equipment designed for the use of the elderly.
For further details:
Tel: 01481 263228 or 07911 714930
Guernsey Voluntary Service
GVS is an independent organisation that provides a range of services to help people who might otherwise feel lonely and isolated. GVS services include:
Jubilee Social Club – provides transport, company, meals and entertainment five days a week.
Tel: 01481 246045
Russels Social Club – located at Le Grand Courtil. Open Tuesdays to Fridays from 9:30 am to 3pm. Provides meals, company and entertainment.
Tel: 01481 238055
Bathing Service – located at Le Grand Courtil Tuesdays to Fridays from 9:30am to 3pm.
Tel: 01481 238055
Meals on Wheels – delivered 6 days a week throughout the year. Referral is through GP, Community Nurses or Social Workers.
Guernsey Alzheimer’s Association
We know that life can sometimes be lonely for you -our mission is to support you with cheerful afternoons, including singing, games, sharing old photographs and best of all the company of others in the same predicament, always of course, with a cup of tea!
We hold social afternoons for carers and those with dementia every Monday from 2pm. On alternate Wednesdays from 2pm come and enjoy music, games or just good company with refreshments.These sessions are also a Carers Support Group with specialist speakers on a variety of subjects.
On alternate Friday afternoons you are invited to join us for Singing Down Memory Lane and refreshments and on the 3rd Thursday of each month we hold a social lunch followed by entertainment.
Tel: 01481 245121
The Older Adult Mental Health Team
A drop-in clinic is held on the last Friday of every month at The Oberlands, La Rue de la Corbinerie, St Martin, GY4 6SP, between 10 – 11am to answer any questions you may have about your diagnosis or your significant others diagnosis of Dementia.
They would be happy to speak with people privately between 11am – 12pm
- To offer Post Diagnostic information regarding community support available on the island
- Advice regarding treatment options for people diagnosed with Dementia
- Explain the role of the Older Adult Mental Health Team and Memory clinic, and how to access their services should this be needed
- Advice regarding maintaining memory and maintaining a Healthy brain
- Information regarding The Cognitive Stimulation Group for those who have recently been diagnosed with Dementia
There is no need to book unless you would like to speak to someone privately.
To book a private appointment, please contact the Older Adult Mental Health Team at the Oberlands on 224272
Signpost
A Guernsey States guide for parents and carers in Guernsey to support, services and activities for children with disabilities
Citizens Advice
If you need information about organising a Power of Attorney or Guardianship.
Tel: 01481 242266