Last week, Lord Lieutenant of West Glamorgan, High Sheriff of West Glamorgan, Mayor and Mayoress of Swansea, along with Trustees for the Dementia Hwb, celebrated 3 years since the opening. Dementia Hwb Aberavon also celebrated their 1-year anniversary since opening.
Dementia Friendly Swansea is a charity that acts as a beacon of hope to people and families that are affected by dementia. It’s a place that is welcoming, supportive, and understanding to the disease and its affects.
As a Service we recognise that some people – including older people and people with dementia – need additional support. Fire safety at home is an important issue for everyone and particularly for people living with dementia. This is why it was such a privilege for members of our Community Fire Safety Team and local Fire Station to be present for the anniversaries.
The aim of the Dementia Hwb is to provide a drop-in service where people can get information about dementia as well as the local services and support that are available to them.
“Our Safe and Well checks are vital for people affected by dementia to keep them safe living at home. It’s vital for fire services to be working in partnership with services like the dementia Hwb - we see the most vulnerable people out in the community and it’s great to have a resource like the dementia Hwb that we can signpost to for support and likewise have them refer to us, for safe and well checks.”
There is on average around 200 people accessing the Hwb every month for advice, support, or just someone to talk to. They also have access to the Safe Haven carer service which is there to assist anyone with dementia who may become overwhelmed while in the town and need a quiet space to collect themselves.
As a Service we have previously supported the Hwb with a Give Back Day – painting the Safe Haven back room at the Swansea Hwb. Our Business Fire Safety Team from Southern Division spent the day painting the Safe Haven space as part of a team building exercise.
We encourage people to pop along to either of the Dementia Hwb’s and say hello to the team who are there to support people and families affected by dementia.