Alzheimers initiative in line for prize

Cannock Chase's Alz Cafe for Alzheimer's sufferers has been shortlisted for a Southern Staffordshire Partnership award in the Improving Quality of Life category.

The cafe was officially launched back in December last year and is one of seven now operating across the county.

It provides a safe and supportive environment where people with Alzheimer's and their carers can regularly meet with others in a similar situation.

During the monthly meeting, there are often guest speakers, entertainment and various activities, with staff on hand to offer advice and support if needed.

Councillor Susan Woodward, cabinet member for healthier communities and older people attended one of Cannock Cafe's first meetings earlier this year and says the award is well deserved.

She said: "When I visited Cannock's cafe, I was fortunate to speak to both service users and their carers to find out what they thought about the facility.

"They all felt it was a really valuable service and somewhere where they can feel comfortable and safe meeting other people in similar situations without being concerned about the stigma that can so often be attached to dementia."

The Southern Staffordshire Regeneration Awards were set up to recognise and promote the breadth and quality of regeneration activities across southern Staffordshire.

In addition to some of the flagship multi-million pound projects, it is particularly keen to showcase enduring initiatives that are inspired by local people and enhance local neighbourhoods and communities.

The cafe is a joint venture between Staffordshire County Council, Carers Association South Staffordshire and the Alzheimer's Society.

More than 40 users and carers have already attended each meeting in Cannock, supported by a range of other partners including district councils, police, fire, the NHS and the primary care trusts. Presentations have been given by Trading Standards, a consultant psycho-geratrician, the fire service and the Neighbourhood Watch scheme.

The award announcement comes in the same week that South Staffordshire co-hosted a conference to discuss improving the treatment and care of people with dementia in the area.

Organised by Social Care and Health and the West Midlands Services Improvement Partnership, service users and professionals from a range of agencies gave feedback at the event based on the recently launched National Dementia Strategy.

The awards final takes place on September 30 at a special luncheon event at the Moat House in Acton Trussell.