13 February 2025

Fareham & Gosport Voluntary Sector Health Forum: Dementia and Memory Matters

View the presentation slides here

The Fareham and Gosport Voluntary Sector Health Forum Webinar was held on Tuesday 5 February 2025 – with c30 attendees. Following on from attendees being welcomed, Tim Houghton, Community First’s Chief Executive, provided a Community & Voluntary Sector update. Tim began by started with a HIVCA (Hampshire & Isle of Wight VCSE Health and Care Alliance) and Integrated Care Board Meeting updates. He continued by discussing the Hampshire Dementia Alliance Carers Support, Close Encounters in Gosport and Healthy Walks. Tim concluded by highlighting progress re Live Longer Better and shared about some new grant funding for supporting young people’s Mental Health.

Next, Ian Douglas, Area Matron, Older Persons Mental Health (South East), Hampshire and IoW NHS Foundation Trust, introduced the service/team – explaining that Fareham and Gosport (where 47,000 residents are 65+) has one of the highest referral rates in the South East – to memory services. (These increasingly complex referrals come via the GP – patients are then contacted/triaged). Older Persons Mental Health (OPMH) supports people in two sections – people with Dementia or with Schizophrenias, Depression/Anxiety… the latter increasing this past year. (There’s a c4 week assessment target.) There are two local Wards for in-patients – regularly reviewed plus those awaiting discharge, currently no beds. Jane Ward, Charity Lead, Dementia Friendly Hampshire shared about how the charity started, its objectives – of improving the lives of people affected by dementia also, how the service is actively promoted. Jane concluded by describing the Activity Sessions (cycling, gardening, equine) and partnerships – explaining that 100 people had participated 800 times, at the various Activity Sessions on offer. Finally, Helen Hamblen, Chief Executive, Dementia Support Hampshire & IoW began by explaining about the charity – how it started and the specialisms within the team. Helen highlighted the Emotional and Practical support available. She then described the Information and Signposting services, who the charity works with alongside their longer-term plans and ambition. The presentation concluded with ‘how to get involved’.

The Fareham and Gosport Voluntary Sector Health Forum Webinar ended by contributors and attendees being thanked and by confirming the next VS Health Forum Networking and Showcase (member) event:- 10.30-12.30pm, Thursday 15 May 2025 – Gateway Church, The Kings Centre, 171-3 West St, Fareham, PO16 0EF.

For more information, please contact Jane Bray:- healthforums@cfirst.org.uk