First ever '˜Dementia Champions'in the North graduate from '˜Tech'

Geraldine Lavery, Head of Health at North West Regional College (NWRC) said the local institution was delighted to deliver the new skills, in partnership with Connected Health, Dementia Together NI and the Health and Social Care Board (HSCB), which will allow graduates make provide better services for over 20,000 people living with a dementia diagnosis here.

She said those who took part in the ‘Dementia Champions’ programme have developed, not only improved dementia practice skills, but also e-Learning skills which they can now apply professionally and as lifelong learners.

She said: “NWRC is delighted to work in partnership with Connected Health to deliver this innovative blended learning programme which consisted of participants taking part in one day of workshops every six weeks alongside online mentoring.

“Staff from our Health and Social Care department worked with colleagues from our Technology Enhanced Learning Support team to develop a programme that marries high quality online materials, communications technologies and active learning tools to provide an engaging learning programme.

“Our training team’s commitment to excellence in delivering the programme was evident throughout and we have already seen participants implementing real change across work places across Northern Ireland.

“I would like to congratulate all those who took part and we look forward to continuing with this innovative programme in 2017.”

Congratulating graduates, Lorna Conn, Dementia Together NI Project Manager, HSCB, said: “This is a very special day. This graduation ceremony represents the culmination of the hard work and dedication of our graduates, their managers and our training providers Connected Health and the North West Regional College.

“We all of us, at some point in our lives, need to engage with health and social care staff and we expect and deserve to receive the very best possible care and treatment from trained and committed staff.

“Training helps to provide the knowledge and skills necessary to deliver the service that we need and expect.

“On a daily basis our Dementia Champions graduates work to improve the quality of life, care and well-being of people with a dementia and their carers.

“Their commitment to this innovative course reflects their commitment to delivering that shared vision.”

Key areas covered by the programme included receiving a dementia diagnosis, research and evidence based practice in dementia care, communication and promoting enabling environments.

The course is delivered via a blended learning approach of five study days, online resources and the submission of work-based assignments.

Open to health and social care staff from all disciplines and work settings, it is unique in that students are required to undertake a change project within their area of work that will lead to improved practice, care, support and treatment for people with a dementia and their carers.

The Dementia Champions Programme focuses on the standards set out within the regional Dementia Learning and Development Framework launched in September 2016.

This framework outlines the importance of a well-trained health and social care workforce in providing care for people living with a dementia. The Dementia Champions training demonstrates the action being taken to build on good practice and develop dementia care which meets current and future service need. During 2017 a further two cohorts will complete the Dementia Champions training programme which will bring the number of Dementia Champions in Northern Ireland to over 300.

Commendations also went out to representatives and staff from Dementia NI, staff from across the voluntary, statutory and independent sectors, and, academics and regulators for their contribution, through their commitment to the Dementia Champions training to the development of a competent and skilled workforce for the 21st Century.