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Health and Wellbeing

Health and Wellbeing

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Dementia Friendly Mid and East Antrim

Mid and East Antrim have committed to becoming a Dementia Friendly Borough through their Community Plan, “Putting People First”.

A number of activities and support services are available throughout the Borough for anyone impacted by Dementia, as well as free awareness training for residents and organisations who wish to become ‘Dementia Friendly’.

Further information on local support services is available below.

 

Dementia Friendly Safeguarding Scheme      Support for Community Activities     

Pre-Visit Guides     Signposting and Dementia Support Services

Worried about memory?

Please download the Dementia Information Booklet (PDF format) as it has tips and guidance to help signpost people who are worried about their memory to relevant support organisations.

Dementia Friendly Safeguarding Scheme

In May 2026, we introduced the Dementia Safeguarding Scheme to Mid and East Antrim.  It has been established as an outcome of The Herbert Protocol launched by the Police Service of Northern Ireland in partnership with Dementia NI, local Health & Social Care Boards and Policing and Community Safety Partnerships. More information can be found on the PSNI's leaflet (PDF format) on their website.

It is a simple risk reduction tool consisting of a pre-completed form that contains vital information about a person with dementia that can be supplied to Police at the earliest opportunity if that person is reported missing. 

Information about the person includes: medication, description, photograph, significant places in the person's life and their daily routine should all to be recorded on a form.

Download the Herbert Protocol form (Word format)

Peace of Mind for Caregivers, Safety for those Living with Dementia

As part of the Dementia Safeguarding Scheme, in collaboration with local organisations and statutory partners, we're offering wristbands and hang tags with essential personalised emergency details. These tools are designed to ensure the safety of individuals living with dementia and provide peace of mind for their caregivers. 

How can you help?

Many individuals living with dementia may struggle to communicate when they need help. The Dementia Safeguarding Scheme provides wristbands and hang tags with vital emergency details. If you come across someone wearing one of these devices, you can quickly access their essential details using NFC technology. 

Download the Dementia Safeguarding Scheme leaflet for general public (PDF format)

How do the Wristbands and Hang Tags work?

To read the tag, you'll need an NFC-enabled smartphone (iPhone or Androd) or tablet. Please follow the instructions below.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Enable NFC: 

  • iPhones: NFC is always available. 
  • Android: You may need to enable NFC in your device settings. 

2. Unlock Your Device.

3. Hold Your Device Near the NFC Tag:

  • iPhone users: Position the top edge of the phone near the tag (close to the camera).  
  •  Android users: Hold the back middle of the phone near the tag. 

4. Wait for the Notification:
Your device will detect the tag and display a notification or open an app automatically. 

5. View the Information: 
Tap the notification to access a phone number of a person who knows the individual and will assist them appropriately. 

Helpful tips:

  • Keep your device close, just like holding a magnet near metal. 
  • Check your phone settings to ensure NFC is enabled. 
  • Be patient, some devices may take a few seconds to register the tag. You may need to try more than once. 
  • If you can't get the tag to work please phone 101. 

By learning how to use this simple technology, you can help safeguard vulnerable individuals and ensure they receive the right support when they need it. 

For more information please contact wellbeing@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Support for Community Activities

If you currently offer Dementia-specific activities or support in the Mid and East Antrim area, or would like to start up a new Dementia activity, we would love to hear from you.

Pre-Visit Guides

Pre-visit accessibility guides are a great help for disabled people, and if relevant their carers, to plan for a rewarding day trip or as part of a longer break.

Two guides have been produced through a recent dementia friendly heritage project led by us and funded through the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The guides are for The Heritage Hub at Carnlough Town Hall and Whitehead Railway Museum.

You can find some background on the project and a link to both guides on the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland website.