Congratulations to Teesside Dementia Link Service who were awarded joint first place in the Mayor’s Civic Awards for the Health & Wellbeing Award.
“We were bowled over when we got the news we were joint winners of a Mayor’s award. This year has been so challenging for all organisations including TDLS, we would like to thank the Mayor and his team for choosing to recognise the work we have done in the last 15 months during various lockdowns. This will be a huge morale boost to all our volunteers and myself” – Gail, Teesside Dementia Link Services
- During the past 15 months, the team have provided a number of key services to their clients that have supported their health and wellbeing.
- Crafting packs to client’s homes – around 1,179 packs all hand delivered, containing at least 3 crafts to complete
- Welfare / mental health packs – around 1,700 all hand delivered, included- flowers, chocolates, soaps, hand gell, cake, biscuits, magazines, jigsaws, puzzle books, baking kits, biscuit making packs, sowing and knitting packs, bunting, photo frames, music, DVD’s, books …………
- Took 295 referrals from Stockton Councils covid team during the first 6 months of the pandemic
- Telephone befriending 60 new clients, many calls made after 10 pm when people feel most lonely
- One to one “Garden” visits – 1,044 in all weathers summer was good but the winter has been so hard but we did it
- Sent for and completed 23 attendance allowance form (100% success rate) 3 PIP applications and 2 PIP reviews
- 1,845 selection boxes for our clients and all the residents in 20 Nursing homes across Teesside
- Friday Fish & Chips for the most vulnerable around 420 delivered, many loved this it has been suspended at the moment but will come back soon
- Over 200 shopping and prescription visits
- 1,589 Easter Eggs to all our clients and all the residents in 18 Nursing homes
- Liaising with other agency’s to get emergency care
- Organising respite and permanent care for clients – 8
- Advocacy for several clients
- One to one Social activities – 120 events
- 450 post cards with up lifting messages on them to clients and care homes
- 120 thinking of you cards sent to clients
- New museums newsletter with sensory activities packs over 1,000 delivered, including to 10 nursing homes, this project is part of a broader engagement program.
They continued as ever to support and promote local businesses and services including the high st, Stockton Market and The Arc, they did this through buying local making adds and posting them on their social media platforms.
The team are now in the process of opening up their group services, some will come back in June and the rest in July as long as they can comply with whatever rules are in place.
As with many other organisations they have not been able to fundraise, so over the next few months, they will have to urgently address this issue so that they can open all of their services including a few new ones.
To find out more about Teesside Dementia Link Service visit www.tdls2016.org