Last Thursday our Forum Coordinator for Denbighshire Abbe and Rebecca our Denbighshire Community Navigator spent the morning at the Ruthin Livestock Centre talking to farmers about health and well-being. They had a great morning talking to farmers about support which is available to them within the community, promoting our forums and informing people about the services provided by Age Connects. It was a successful morning and the pair managed to talk to over 20 people.

On Saturday, Rebecca attended the Flu Clinic at the Llangollen Health Centre, this very successful event meant that she spoke to over 35 people informing them of her role, promoting Talking Points, informing people about services within the community as well as promoting Dewis.

As part of Denbighshire County Council  Celebrating Age week we hosted an afternoon of fun filled activities at The Alive Church in Prestatyn

Over 70 people enjoyed the afternoon which included dancing, artwork, information about nature and gardening, nail painting and World War memorabilia. Our Speak UP project brought the seaside inside to brighten up the day and food was provided by Salford by the Sea Community Café. We would like to thank Kings Garden Enterprise, Bezaeel Arts, Abs-olute Beauty, Teg for Textiles, Salford by the Sea Community Café and the Alive Church for all your support.

This week Denbighshire County Council has been celebrating “Ageing Well in Denbighshire” by sharing a series of videos about initiatives involving older people. Here is the video about our “Speak UP” project.

Would you consider volunteering for only 2 hours a week?
You would be trained and have lots of support.

The project works in care homes in Denbighshire, Conwy and Gwynedd. Whatever your skill…. listening, singing, crafting, quizzing, chatting… you could add something to the project.

Interested?….then phone 01745 816947 or Contact Us via the webform.

In the first year of SpeakUP, despite having to develop the activity programme for delivery, recruit and train all our volunteers and promote our new project, we were able to make contact with 40 care homes.

In addition we have delivered programmes in 16 establishments in the 3 counties, engaging with almost 100 residents. Outputs for year 2 are projected to more than double and the Comic Relief funder continues to support us in our objective of developing resilience and self-advocacy in residents.

Integral to SpeakUP is the Alzheimer’s Association’s Dementia Friends initiative and the Project Coordinators have achieved Dementia Champions status enabling them to provide information sessions to almost 100 people.

Photo: SpeakUP Coordinators with members of Dyserth WI, July 2017.

Age Connects North Wales Central held its Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 18^th July 2017. The AGM was well attended by various members of the Conwy and Denbighshire communities, the Third Sector and Public Sector organisations.

Neil Bryson, Trustee chaired the proceedings, whilst Barry Haines, CEO presented the Chief Executives Report and Financial Report with contributions from project managers; Alison Price (Welsh Speaker) and Sue Wright. Chad Rogerson from North Wales Fire and Rescue Service followed on with an excellent presentation of the various services that the organisation offers. Together with information stands from Home Instead and NatWest Community Bankers, we were able to promote future networking opportunities.

The attendees later retired for refreshments including freshly made homemade cakes, courtesy of our veterans and forums coordinator, Jayne Spencer, which went down a treat.

A really good effort from everybody – feedback was very positive – ‘very enjoyable AGM’.

Thank you to all who attended on the day.

Barry Haines, CEO

Recently we have been taking the Speak UP project to more care homes in the region. We have a presence in all three counties: Conwy, Denbighshire, and Gwynedd.

After a pilot scheme run over the Winter months we have refined the programme somewhat, and starting early March 2017 another cycle of Care Home visits by our volunteers is under way. There has been a lot of positive feedback from care home staff and residents alike, and now we are looking forward expanding the project in the coming months.