Former Teacher Launches Bespoke Dementia Support Service

A new consultancy service aimed at supporting dementia sufferers has been launched by former teacher Sarah Collins in Rutland and Stamford. The initiative, which began last month, focuses on providing tailored support to individuals living with dementia, emphasizing dignity and individuality through customized activities.

Collins employs a humanist approach to therapy, developing bespoke sessions that align with the interests and diagnoses of her clients. “There are more than 200 different types of dementia, each with differing symptoms,” she noted. “It’s really fun. If someone wants to do woodwork, then I’ll research, I’ll do practice and we do woodwork. If they want to play pickleball, we play pickleball.”

The primary goal of Collins’ service is to ensure that individuals diagnosed with dementia are not defined by their condition. She advocates for changing societal perceptions, stating, “In society, there are major stigmas to do with dementia and we’re always chipping away, trying to dispel those.”

Collins encourages community engagement, highlighting that a diagnosis does not diminish a person’s ability to enjoy life. “Once you get a diagnosis there’s such an emphasis on ‘oh poor you, can you still do this or that?’ Of course they can,” she explained. “If you’ve sailed all your life, the day after diagnosis, you’re not going to change.”

In addition to working directly with clients, Collins also provides support and guidance for family members, recognizing that dementia impacts not only the individual but also their loved ones. “Dementia doesn’t just affect the person that has a diagnosis, it affects everyone around them and the wider society,” she said.

Collins brings a wealth of experience to her consultancy. Holding a master’s degree in dementia, she has conducted audits on properties owned by the National Trust to enhance their inclusivity for those with the condition. Her personal journey with dementia began in 2017 when she underwent brain surgery at Addenbrooke’s Hospital to correct a form of dementia that could be treated operatively.

“I could only turn left when riding a bike. My brain wouldn’t get the message to my hand on my handlebar to veer right,” Collins explained. “Once I had my operation, I remember going to the coast, I got on a bike and I could turn left and right. It’s miraculous.”

Beyond her individual consultations, Collins also offers an audit service for businesses, such as shops and hair salons, to help them become more dementia-friendly. She notes that establishments with dementia-friendly status are more likely to attract customers with dementia and their caregivers. “It may be just a case of changing lightbulbs into natural bulbs, because people living with dementia don’t like that sharp light,” she suggested. “By tweaking simple things, you can make your property much more appealing for people living with dementia.”

Collins underscores that dementia should not be viewed as a death sentence. “We’re all going to die at the end of our lives, but you can live as well as possible in the time you’ve got,” she said.

For further information about her services, interested parties can contact Collins via email at [email protected] or by phone at 07946 486069.