Two training sessions for carers of people with dementia run with St Christopher's and Link Age Southwark.

This Care with Compassion training is for those who are looking after people with dementia. The training involves a non-medical approach to care that is sensory rich with the aim of improving the quality of life for people with dementia, turning everyday activities into meaningful moments of care and compassion. We will offer training in working from a place of compassion and the use of Namaste techniques.

Namaste is an approach to care devised by Joyce Simard which uses the senses along with developing a life story and memory box to bring about connections with people with dementia. Namaste also incorporates hand and foot massage and this will also be offered as part of the training.

Namaste: Use of touch – hand/foot massage, Music, Scents, Taste, Visual stimulation, Memory boxes, Life stories

The first session on Monday 6th January, 1-3pm would entail training on hand massage and towards the end of the session the idea of music and memory will be introduced with the hope that people will go away and think about this for the person they care for before the following session 2 weeks later (Monday 20th January 1-3pm) where music and memory boxes will be explored in more detail. Please sign up for both sessions, as they are best taught together.

This is training is free, brought to you by Link Age Southwark and St Christopher's Hospice.