Signposting and Dementia Support Services
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council work alongside local organisations to signpost individuals impacted by dementia to appropriate support services.
The below is a list of support services which may be useful for individuals impacted by Dementia (including family members and family carers).
A hard copy signposting support pack is also available on request.
Alzheimer’s Society
Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Support Service offers information, support and signposting using a person-centred approach through one to on visits, telephone and virtually for all people affected by dementia throughout the journey.
Contact information:
Antrim/Ballymena Support Worker: T: 028 2588 1708 or E: antrimballymena@alzheimers.org.uk
East Antrim Support Worker: T: 028 9336 2940 or E: eastantrim@alzheimers.org.uk
National Dementia Support Line: T: 0333 150 3456
Visit the Alzheimers Society website.
Dementia Friendly Community Garden, Larne
Larne Community Garden is a free, inclusive space for everyone to enjoy.
The garden is managed entirely by volunteers from Larne Area Community Support Group and has been carefully created to support both the environment and the people who use it.
Located at Larne Promenade, nearby the Leisure Centre, you will find a relaxing haven for you to enjoy and take in the views of the sea and surrounds.
The garden includes a chatty bench, picnic table, seed library, free book library and much more.
The garden has been planted with herbs, sensory plants, beautiful scented and vibrant flowers, fruit trees, vegetables and more for everyone to enjoy a sensory experience, along with being an inclusive space which is also Dementia Friendly.
On site is also a Community Fridge which opens to share food surplus and reduce food waste on a Tuesday and Thursday from 10.30am.
Contact E: info@larne-area-community-support.co.uk for more information.
Dementia NI
Dementia NI is a member-led charity formed by five individuals living with a diagnosis of dementia.
The organisation was founded to drive positive change for people with dementia through challenging stigma and raising awareness.
Regular events help members to share experiences and offer peer support, with opportunities for families to get involved.
For more information, please visit Dementia Northern Ireland website or contact T: 028 9693 1555 or E: info@dementiani.org.
Inter-Ethnic Forum
Inter-ethnic Forum’s one-to-one Mental Health Worker provides support and signposting to relevant services for members of the minority ethnic community across Mid and East Antrim.
T: 028 2564 8822
MEAAP Connect North
The Connect North service helps older people in the Northern Health and Social Care Trust (NHSCT) to access local services and activities that improve their health, wellbeing and independence.
Examples of services MEAAP’S Connect North Worker can signpost you to include:
- Home Safety Check
- Benefit Entitlement Check
- Handyperson Scheme
- Good Morning Call
- Community Transport
- Social Activity
- Luncheon Club
- Befriending Scheme
For more information, please contact the Connect North Worker on E: connectnorthlw@meaap.co.uk or T: 028 2565 8604, or visit the Mid and East Antrim Agewell Partnership website.
Council's Health and Wellbeing Team – Home Safety checks
You can get a free home safety check if you are aged 65 or over, are a vulnerable adult, or have a child under 5.
A home safety officer will visit and carry out a quick, relaxed and informal risk assessment of your home.
They will look at things like blind cord safety, fall risk, burns and scalds and carbon monoxide.
If safety equipment is needed, we can provide this for free.
For more information, please contact the Health and Wellbeing team on T: 028 2563 3394 or E: wellbeing@midandeastantrim.gov.uk
Mid and East Antrim Community Advice Services
Mid and East Antrim Community Advice Services provides free impartial and confidential advice, assisting people across Mid and East Antrim with advice in areas such as:
- Debt and money advice
- Benefit entitlement and support with applications
- Housing
- Legal issues
- Discrimination
- Employment
- Immigration
- Affordable Food Club
To avail of this service, or for more information, please contact T: 028 9600 1333 or visit the Mid and East Antrim Community Advice Services website.
Northern Trust Carer Hub
The Northern Trust Carer Hub is a central contact where you can be signposted to local support or receive other information.
The Trust’s Carers’ Co-ordinator can help carers by:
- Providing information advice and resources for carers
- To provide information and to support carers in the Northern Trust area
- To promote training to empower and support carers
- To gather information about the needs of carers
The Hub is available Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm on T: 028 2766 1210 or E: carers.coordinator@northerntrust.hscni.net
For more information visit the Northern Heath & Social Care Trust's Carer Hub webpage.
Prom Friendship Group
A safe and supportive environment for people living with dementia to participate in leisure and social activities with volunteers.
Confidential peer support for carers, with talks and activities to promote good health and wellbeing.
Prom Friendship Group meets on the last Tuesday of every month from 6pm – 7.30pm at Prom Café, Larne Leisure Centre.
Contact the Prom Café for more information on T: 028 2827 4662.
PSNI Herbert Protocol
The Herbert Protocol 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.
For more information, please visit the Police Service of Northern Ireland's Herbert Protocol webpage.
Radius Housing Floating Support Service
Radius Housing Floating Support Service is designed to assist those aged 55 and over who wish to remain in their own home for longer.
We work in conjunction with various organisations in Northern Ireland in order to provide the best support possible for our service users needs.
For more information visit the Radius Housing Floating Support Service webpage.
T: 0330 123 0888
E: co-ordinatorscheme@radiushousing.org.
Streetwise Community Circus – Dementia Club
Streetwise have introduced a new dementia club, as part of their “Age-ility” sessions in Whitehead throughout the Winter 2023.
These introductory sessions are taking place in St Patrick’s Church Hall, BT38 9QF, on Wednesday mornings from 10.30am – 12noon starting on Wednesday 4 October until 29 November 2023 initially. Age-ility (age-friendly) sessions are also available.
The workshops are free to attend.
Try juggling, plate spinning, hat tricks, diabolo, flower stick, and much more.
All activities have been designed to be enjoyed by everyone and for all abilities.
People can join the group at any time during the term and are welcome to attend as individuals or with a friend or family member.
Please contact E: streetwisecircus@gmail.com to register or for more information.
‘This is Me’ Dementia Choir
Come along and enjoy music and singing in a relaxed environment with light refreshments afterwards.
No singing experience necessary.
Free to attend, no need to book.
Come on your own, with friends, family or carers.
The choir meets at the Music Yard, Stylux Business Park, Larne on Wednesdays from 2pm – 3.30pm.
For more information please contact Alderman Gerardine Mulvenna on M: 07970 896 367.