Another great year helping local people in Guernsey – see our highlights from working with the Guernsey Community Foundation here:
Milly’s Foundation:
A grant to Milly’s Foundation has enabled volunteers, carers and caregivers in Alderney to receive free professional Dementia Awareness training. Milly’s Foundation was set up to develop Dementia services for Alderney residents in the face of increasing incidences of dementia in a population where a third of people are now aged over 65 years. Milly’s Foundation used its grant of £3,500 to fund professional Dementia Awareness training during the first ever Dementia Awareness week in Alderney.
‘The professional trainers were successful in bringing to the fore an awareness of dementia in the community as well providing training to the professionals, public and volunteers. The aim of our first Dementia Awareness Week was to create a better understanding of this disease, to dispel common myths, remove the stigma and help Alderney become a dementia-friendly community.’ said Colin Williams, Founder of Milly’s Foundation.
Around 100 people undertook the training across Dementia Awareness Week. Money is also being used to fund a Lunch Club providing afternoon respite for carers, whilst those they care for with dementia are provided with activities at the new day centre at the Connaught Care Home.
Guernsey Hard of Hearing Association
A grant of £4,300 has enabled the Guernsey Hearing Association (GHHA) to provide Digital Listeners and Stethosets to more than 20 local care homes. The devices are specifically designed to help and support deaf and hard of hearing adults. The grant has also supported the purchase of specialist smoke alarms for those with hearing impairments, enabling them to remain in their own homes safely.
‘The Sonido Digital Listeners Project has been even more successful than we could possibly have hoped for. Despite having no prior knowledge of these listeners, care home staff were all very willing to learn how to use them correctly and could immediately identify residents who might benefit from using them.’ said Nikki Stephens, GHHA Chair.
‘Thank you so much for bringing the digital listeners. I have tried one with one of our residents and he is now able to hear everything we say with the volume turned high. This is wonderful for him as he has refused a hearing aid in the past. He is really happy with this device and it will make such a difference to his daily life. Previously, he couldn’t hear a word we said and all communications were done by writing and sign language. Thank you!’ Chateau du Village Nursing Home.
A further grant of £3,025 awarded in 2016 was for the funding of a portable TOGO amplifying system, for an Echo Mini Tech system personal listeners.
“Thank you so much for bringing the digital listeners. I have tried one with one of our residents and he is now able to hear everything we say (with the volume turned high). This is wonderful for him as he has refused a hearing aid in the past. He is really happy with this device and it will make such a difference to his daily life. Previously, he couldn’t hear a word we said and all communications were done by writing and sign language. Thank you! ” Chateau du Village Nursing Home