Creating a Dementia Community Centre of Excellence for North Northamptonshire

The University of Northampton (UON) is working with local stakeholders with the aim of creating a Centre of Excellence for Dementia awareness.

UON’s Dementia Research and Innovation Centre (NDRIC) is partnering with Public Health in North Northamptonshire Council for dementia awareness, support and care offering high standard, quality provision.

The Orchard Project will look to align current dementia care provision in an existing local community centre the Autumn Centre in Corby with best contemporary dementia friendly practices, as they work towards enhancing their Dementia Friendly status.

Project lead, Professor Jacqueline Parkes from the University of Northampton said: “This is a very exciting project which could provide a blueprint for a community-based pathway approach to dementia support and care, from community awareness, pre-diagnosis support, early intervention, supported care under one roof.

“The University has an established pedigree in these areas; building on our expertise in developing, delivering, and evaluating community-based interventions and support models, the team at NDRIC are delighted to be working alongside the Team at the Autumn Centre and North Northamptonshire Council, to co-design and produce the Orchard Project Model.”

Lee McCormick, Centre Manager at The Autumn Centre said: “The Autumn Centre is thrilled to be involved with Public Health, North Northamptonshire Council and the University of Northampton in such an exciting project to become a Centre of Excellence. This will be a great opportunity to tackle the early onset of dementia with research and a proactive inclusive programme.”

As part of the project there will be a series of specifically designed public awareness activities and events linked to both early identification of cognitive decline and maintenance of positive Brain Health. This 12-month programme of events and activities will be co-produced and co-designed with people with dementia and carers, staff and Trustees at the Centre, and the wider community.

The project also aims to create and develop a model of support and outreach that can be potentially rolled out to other similar services, benefitting more North Northamptonshire residents.

It will explore the barriers to access and engagement with local health care and related services in relation to support for those effected by a dementia diagnosis.

The evaluation will also look at the impact of attending the activities and events on behaviour change and engagement with local health care and related services.

Councillor Gill Mercer, North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing said: “I am delighted that we have recently appointed a PhD student who will be working with Professor Jacqueline Parkes and Dr Alison Ward from the university to plan, advertise, recruit, and deliver the activity/event programme. They will also be evaluating its effectiveness and impact, especially on how dementia can affect accessing healthcare.

“This is a project which I hope will have far reaching benefits for those of our North Northamptonshire residents in cognitive decline for years to come.”

As part of the project groups such as local schools, faith groups, voluntary, third sector, and community organisations will be invited to attend sessions to embed dementia awareness into their work.

This work links into Integrated Care Northamptonshire’s Dementia Strategy’s ambition to raise awareness and reduce stigma in relation to Mild Cognitive Impairment and dementia.

Jason Smithers, Leader of North Northamptonshire Council concludes: “I was privileged to join staff from Public Health and the University’s Northamptonshire Dementia Research and Innovation Centre on a tour of the Autumn Centre as part of the planning stages for this project. I know they are looking forward to further enhancing their dementia friendly practice and wish them all the best. I look forward to hearing more about The Orchard Project as it progresses.”