help me to help with dementia
Donation protected
Many of you are aware I am on a mission to make a difference in Exeter for people living with dementia and their families. I have been active in this as a Volunteer for the past 3 years.
Simultaneously I have been studying for a degree in Health & Social care with the Open University for the past 6 years....and yippee I'm almost finished :)
Results due in July with a November Graduation in Poole.
My second module with the Open University was Dementia Care which sent me on a journey I never contemplated. I have an avid interest in the human mind both its capacity and decline, stemming from my work as a Counsellor which began in 2003 or so I thought!
My voluntary role in dementia has equated to me delivering over 100 one hour Dementia Friends Sessions with a reach of 1250 individuals in and around the community of Exeter. I have my own quarterly radio show on Phonic 106.8 FM 'Living better with Dementia' and I have inspired over 50 organisations to consider their service provision for people living with dementia and their families, by committing to action.
Many people ask me what drives me so which has caused me to reflect deeply. As I mentioned earlier one of the drivers is my interest in the human mind, but the other is far more profound. This stems from being an 8 year old and visiting care homes as a child with my sister and grandmother. She delivered creative arts sessions to groups of residents. As an 8 year old what I was aware of was not the residents who were actively engaging in the sessions but those that were not. I felt an affinity with the residents who were sat around the periphery of the lounge appearing from my perspective as an 8 year old lonely, isolated and lacking connection. i now know many were living with later stage dementia.
I believe this has stayed with me throughout my life and has been ignited 40 years later through my education with the Open University. I have a lot to be grateful to the OU for! I believe wholeheartedly that we all deserve the right to a qualty of life and in view of dementia and my childhood perceptions this did not appear to be happening. Quality of life for us all is a human right but when considering dementia and person centered care comes compassion, understanding and education. So many people I meet - families, friends and carers are limited in their resources and I feel with my life skills, understanding ongoing knowledge I would like to help as much as I can in whichever way I can.
In order to continue on this path and develop in the field of Dementia I require a formal qualification. I have just been offered a place at Stirling University to embark on their one year Post Graduate Certificate in Dementia Studies. This is extremely important to me and will help with my continuing plan to educate, advocate and facilitate groups in my own business as well as working on a one to one basis with individuals living with a dementia diagnosis and their significant others.
Due to limited funds I am appealing for help to support my learning fees. The total cost including the necessary books and resources equates to £2,200. Whilst this may not directly impact you, donations in kind from anyone who would like to contribute however small will be greatly appreciated.
Dementia is such a complex condition and I believe working in this area innovatively is my calling. I have already begun to see the effects of my voluntary work to date which has filtered across the region as well as the city of Exeter. Whilst I do not know exactly what my future looks like I am beginning to shape it with my ongoing learning and development.
Below is a link to an article when I first set out on my mission to mobilise Exeter into working towards becoming a Dementia Friendly City..
http://www.devonlive.com/exeter-mum-gina-launches-campaign-make-city/story-23229174-detail/story.html
For anyone wishing to understand more about the structure and learning content of the Post Graduate certificate I intend to undertake beginning in January 2018 do read on.
For others that would like to help me on the next stage of my journey I will be sincerely grateful and promise to fulfil my obligation by completing the modules and offering updates...
Structure and content of the PG Cert in Dementia Studies:
The modules within Dementia Studies have been carefully designed to form a coherent and integrated course.
The Postgraduate Certificate comprises of three modules completed over a year. The modules are:
Critical and Creative Approaches to Dementia
The module introduces students to current and cutting edge theory in dementia studies and explores how this has been taken forward and translated into practice. Due to the complex nature of dementia, theoretical perspectives from a range of disciplines will be considered. Students are encouraged to understand how these theories influence practice and within this module the focus is on the diverse array of creative and arts-based approaches to working with people with dementia as viable alternatives to pharmacological interventions. Students will be supported to develop skills of critical analysis and writing, and to better understand recent developments in the theoretical and methodological landscape of dementia studies.
Dementia and the Environment
Students explore the role of the environment in the lives of people with dementia and carers, as well as the relevance of the built and social environment to dementia care practice. We examine different understandings of space and place, and consider the growing body of literature and research evidence in this emerging field. Opportunities will be given for students to relate research evidence to their own practice or caring situation and to enhance their understanding of strategies and tools for assessing and utilising design and technology to support people with dementia.
Critical and Reflective Thinking in Dementia Studies
An introduction for students into critical and reflective thinking in dementia studies. The online learning community will be a source for students to draw on others’ experiences, as well as reflecting on their own academic practice. Students will be introduced to critical reading and writing skills to develop their knowledge and understanding of how to synthesise, reference and cite literature. They will be encouraged to use these academic practice skills to reflect critically on creative approaches to dementia.
I hope you'll consider helping me and thanks so much for taking the time to read my story.
Gina xx
Simultaneously I have been studying for a degree in Health & Social care with the Open University for the past 6 years....and yippee I'm almost finished :)
Results due in July with a November Graduation in Poole.
My second module with the Open University was Dementia Care which sent me on a journey I never contemplated. I have an avid interest in the human mind both its capacity and decline, stemming from my work as a Counsellor which began in 2003 or so I thought!
My voluntary role in dementia has equated to me delivering over 100 one hour Dementia Friends Sessions with a reach of 1250 individuals in and around the community of Exeter. I have my own quarterly radio show on Phonic 106.8 FM 'Living better with Dementia' and I have inspired over 50 organisations to consider their service provision for people living with dementia and their families, by committing to action.
Many people ask me what drives me so which has caused me to reflect deeply. As I mentioned earlier one of the drivers is my interest in the human mind, but the other is far more profound. This stems from being an 8 year old and visiting care homes as a child with my sister and grandmother. She delivered creative arts sessions to groups of residents. As an 8 year old what I was aware of was not the residents who were actively engaging in the sessions but those that were not. I felt an affinity with the residents who were sat around the periphery of the lounge appearing from my perspective as an 8 year old lonely, isolated and lacking connection. i now know many were living with later stage dementia.
I believe this has stayed with me throughout my life and has been ignited 40 years later through my education with the Open University. I have a lot to be grateful to the OU for! I believe wholeheartedly that we all deserve the right to a qualty of life and in view of dementia and my childhood perceptions this did not appear to be happening. Quality of life for us all is a human right but when considering dementia and person centered care comes compassion, understanding and education. So many people I meet - families, friends and carers are limited in their resources and I feel with my life skills, understanding ongoing knowledge I would like to help as much as I can in whichever way I can.
In order to continue on this path and develop in the field of Dementia I require a formal qualification. I have just been offered a place at Stirling University to embark on their one year Post Graduate Certificate in Dementia Studies. This is extremely important to me and will help with my continuing plan to educate, advocate and facilitate groups in my own business as well as working on a one to one basis with individuals living with a dementia diagnosis and their significant others.
Due to limited funds I am appealing for help to support my learning fees. The total cost including the necessary books and resources equates to £2,200. Whilst this may not directly impact you, donations in kind from anyone who would like to contribute however small will be greatly appreciated.
Dementia is such a complex condition and I believe working in this area innovatively is my calling. I have already begun to see the effects of my voluntary work to date which has filtered across the region as well as the city of Exeter. Whilst I do not know exactly what my future looks like I am beginning to shape it with my ongoing learning and development.
Below is a link to an article when I first set out on my mission to mobilise Exeter into working towards becoming a Dementia Friendly City..
http://www.devonlive.com/exeter-mum-gina-launches-campaign-make-city/story-23229174-detail/story.html
For anyone wishing to understand more about the structure and learning content of the Post Graduate certificate I intend to undertake beginning in January 2018 do read on.
For others that would like to help me on the next stage of my journey I will be sincerely grateful and promise to fulfil my obligation by completing the modules and offering updates...
Structure and content of the PG Cert in Dementia Studies:
The modules within Dementia Studies have been carefully designed to form a coherent and integrated course.
The Postgraduate Certificate comprises of three modules completed over a year. The modules are:
Critical and Creative Approaches to Dementia
The module introduces students to current and cutting edge theory in dementia studies and explores how this has been taken forward and translated into practice. Due to the complex nature of dementia, theoretical perspectives from a range of disciplines will be considered. Students are encouraged to understand how these theories influence practice and within this module the focus is on the diverse array of creative and arts-based approaches to working with people with dementia as viable alternatives to pharmacological interventions. Students will be supported to develop skills of critical analysis and writing, and to better understand recent developments in the theoretical and methodological landscape of dementia studies.
Dementia and the Environment
Students explore the role of the environment in the lives of people with dementia and carers, as well as the relevance of the built and social environment to dementia care practice. We examine different understandings of space and place, and consider the growing body of literature and research evidence in this emerging field. Opportunities will be given for students to relate research evidence to their own practice or caring situation and to enhance their understanding of strategies and tools for assessing and utilising design and technology to support people with dementia.
Critical and Reflective Thinking in Dementia Studies
An introduction for students into critical and reflective thinking in dementia studies. The online learning community will be a source for students to draw on others’ experiences, as well as reflecting on their own academic practice. Students will be introduced to critical reading and writing skills to develop their knowledge and understanding of how to synthesise, reference and cite literature. They will be encouraged to use these academic practice skills to reflect critically on creative approaches to dementia.
I hope you'll consider helping me and thanks so much for taking the time to read my story.
Gina xx
Organizer
Gina Awad
Organizer
