11 Dementia Awareness courses in Birmingham

The course seeks to improve the wellbeing and experience of people with dementia and of the care staff working with them. It should improve your confidence in managing situations you find challenging.

Learners develop an essential understanding of caring for people with dementia, and covers the benefits of positive communication, use of medication, and importance of highly individualised, person-centred care

Dementia affects around 820,000 people in the UK. This figure is likely to rise to one million by 2025 and two million by 2051. It is one of the main causes of disability in later life and with research being desperately underfunded, it costs the UK over £26 billion a year. Understanding dementia and the person-centred care that is required is fundamental to high quality care.

Birmingham Settlement are running a programme of training sessions between April and July 2024. All sessions are half-a-day and are an excellent opportunity to learn about important topics, starting with Adult Safeguarding on the 18th April.  If you are interested in any of the courses or would like more information, contact our Trainer David Coombes via email david.coombes@bsettlement.org.uk or by phone 07399 560 766. Training Sessions: Adult Safeguarding April 18th 9.15am – 12.30pm (Sports & Community Centre, Kingstanding) Training will include: What is Adult Safeguarding? What is abuse? Categories of abuse. Those most at risk of abuse. Identifying the signs of abuse. Taking safeguarding action. The issue of client consent. Mental Health Awareness April 23rd 9.30am – 12.45pm (Nature & Wellbeing Centre, Ladywood) Training will include: Defining mental health and mental illness. Signs and symptoms of the most common mental health conditions. Identifying and responding to a mental health crisis. Maintaining positive mental wellbeing. How best to support mental health recovery. Trauma Informed Practice May 14th 9.30am – 12.45pm (Nature & Wellbeing Centre, Ladywood) Training will include: What is trauma? Symptoms of trauma. Impact of trauma on children. Understanding the impact of Adverse Childhood experiences. Key principles of trauma informed practice. Managing work stress and undertaking self-care. Professional Boundaries May 23rd 9.15am – 12.30pm (Sports & Community Centre, Kingstanding) Training will include: What are professional boundaries and why are they important? Professional vs Personal boundaries and how they differ. How trauma impacts personal power and the ability to establish boundaries. Signs of boundary violations. How boundaries support wellbeing. Conflict Resolution June 6th 9.15am – 12.30pm (Sports & Community Centre, Kingstanding) Training will include: Defining conflict and exploring the risks vs the benefits of conflict. Looking at anger and aggression. Understanding how the brain responds to threat and danger. Exploring the practical communication strategies effective in the prevention and de-escalation of conflict. Learning to respond rather than react. Equality, Diversity & Inclusion June 11th 9.30am – 12.45pm (Nature & Wellbeing Centre, Ladywood) Training will include: The Equality Act and protected characteristics. Different forms of discrimination. How ‘membership’ of specific groups might bring advantage or disadvantage. Understanding the ‘multi layered’ nature of discrimination. Understanding how diversity and inclusion can positively impact and change what we do. Dementia Awareness July 9th 9.30am – 12.45pm (Nature & Wellbeing Centre, Ladywood) Training will include: What is dementia? The different types of dementia. The signs and symptoms of dementia. Risk reduction strategies. Benefits of early diagnosis. Barriers to diagnosis, treatment, and support. How we can help. Disability Awareness July 18th 9.15 – 12.30pm (Sports & Community Centre, Kingstanding) Training will include: Defining disability, disability as a social construct, non-visible disabilities. Barriers facing those with disabilities and the positive actions and reasonable adjustments we all can make to create more inclusive and less discriminatory environments.

This course will explore what we mean when we say someone has dementia. The course will challenge you to think more about how we can best care for and support people with dementia.

Dementia awareness training

A 1-day course open to anyone wishing to explore the use of therapeutic touch to enhance wellbeing and improve engagement with a person living with dementia on their terms and with dignity. We’ll cover specialist massage techniques on easily accessible areas of the body i.e. the arms, hands and face with a view to meeting needs and facilitating expressing emotions in a dementia friendly way. We’ll explore the intricacies of consent, how the law impacts us and the benefits of massage so you can sell your service well all through a trauma informed lens. We’ll take a look at how the brain is impacted by dementia to understand certain behaviours and then focus on compassionate communication giving you immediately useable tools to connect without words and traverse the rocky road of relationships with your loved one or client more smoothly. “When words escape us, touch says it all.” No qualifications needed – just hands and an open heart. * Learn innovative, progressive & advanced specialist techniques to connect with compassion * Improve communication and fulfil unmet needs with practical tools & skills * Explore ways of communicating and easing anxiety and reducing medication needs through nuturing touch. * Provide meaningful engagement through truly “person centred” & “holistic” approaches * Increase confidence & competence working in this field * For qualified bodywork therapists, carers, family, friends & dementia professionals For more details on course content, please see frequently asked questions. CORNWALL: You can book both the Massaging Persons Living with Dementia course, 0n October 18, 2024, and course and the Aromatherapy for Persons Living with Dementia course, on October 19, 2024, as a package for £350 (a saving of £50) – please choose the option on the checkout. BRISTOL: You can book both the Massaging Persons Living with Dementia course, 0n March 13, 2024, and course and the Aromatherapy for Persons Living with Dementia course, on March 14, 2024, as a package for £350 (a saving of £50) – please choose the option on the checkout. 1-1 TRAINING 1-1 training may be preferable because you would like a personal touch, 1-1 is your preferred style of learning or one of the planned dates does not suit you. 1-1 training provides you with flexibility of training to suit your specific needs and goals. Please click on the 1-1 training button. It is a good idea to get in touch 1st so that you can confirm a date that is suitable for us both. You can book one-toone training here or by contacting Nicolle by email After successfully completing the course, either in a group or 1-1, qualified therapists will gain CPD points with one or more of the professional bodies. Carers and other professionals will receive a certificate of attendance. ‘The course was far wider than just massage and I have been trying things out with the dementia people in one of the care homes I visit with remarkable results. One lady who just sits and does not interact with anyone happily told us all about the war and what Windsor was like when she was a young girl’ JC, Massage Therapist, Fleet, Hants “An opportunity to learn how to enable people who have dementia feel comfortable about having massage & nurturing touch, learning specialist techniques that reflect understanding the world from your client or loved one’s perspective.”

Unlock a Rewarding Path as a Dementia Advocate Are you ready to make a difference by understanding and supporting individuals with Dementia? Embark on a fulfilling journey of advocacy through our comprehensive Dementia training courses – Dementia Champion and Dementia Interpreters. This course is an advanced level of training with innovative practical elements and teachings from experts which will change your approach and better your service. You will also be able to display your team’s achievements with pins and certificates that will differentiate you from other services. So often we have training that takes care of the physical elements of our service users but this truly explores how to take care of emotional and cognitive health, ensuring that you are catering to your service users at all levels. Dementia Champion Course £1000 + VAT Modules: What Dementia is and what it isn’t Living with Dementia What causes Dementia? Diagnosis and who can help Common difficulties and how to help The emotional impact of Dementia Positive communication Duration 3 Full Days Maximum Delegates 12 for face-to-face or unlimited for virtual Location Location: We can travel to any UK location for your convenience. *Note: Price may vary based on travel distance. Full Day - Dementia Interpreters Course £800 + VAT Duration 2 x 3-hour sessions Maximum Delegates 16 Location Location: We can travel to any UK location for your convenience. *Note: Price may vary based on travel distance. Half Day - Dementia Interpreters Course £495 + VAT Duration 1 x 3-hour session Maximum Delegates 8 Location Location: We can travel to any UK location for your convenience. *Note: Price may vary based on travel distance.

A one day programme of study designed for Doctors, Registered Nurses and Allied Health Professionals working in a variety of care settings, whose role may include supporting and advising patients in the later stages of dementia.

Dysphagia presents a multifaceted challenge that can culminate in aspiration, malnutrition, and a diminished quality of life. This course serves as a comprehensive exploration of dysphagia, unravelling its root causes, evaluation techniques, and measures for ensuring secure swallowing practices.