Support for the Younger Person with Dementia
Our aim here is to offer a very positive choice of 'things to do' for the person with dementia. A trained support worker partners the person, and they develop a trusting relationship. Once this is established then we work regularly alongside the person, encouraging, supporting, and pursuing activities that bring pleasure and satisfaction. The rich range of activities can be anything that is significant to the person, from warm companionship to fulfilling lifetime ambitions, and anything in between.
In practice, the sessions are usually 2-4 hours each week, with flexibility built in. Being with an experienced support worker offers reassurance through periods of change in condition and abilities, and particularly if the person has respite breaks or moves to a care home.
The service is for people who have experienced the symptoms of dementia whilst under the age of 65 years, and live in, or on the borders of, Oxfordshire. Once introduced to the service, age is irrelevant, and we continue until the person no longer benefits from the active service provided. Anyone can refer a person to the service, with their agreement.
"Michael’s Monday mornings are the highlight of his week" - Michael’s wife, Gillian
"Wendy’s two visits with the support workers are really important to her and give her a structure to the week so that she is much more contented for the rest of the time. She loves swimming and is much less fearful of meeting people then she was in the past." - Wendy’s brother
Facts about the service
- started in April 1998
- fourteen trained staff in the One to One team
- 7500 hours of support delivered this year to over
- 50 younger people with dementia
- between age 36 and late 60s (average age 56)
You may download more information on the
One to One Service 
and a
referral form 
.
Support for the Family and Friends of Younger People with Dementia
To achieve the best quality of life for the younger person, and their partner and family, a network of care and support is likely to be needed. Planning early on for this by establishing the contacts and relationships locally should mean that support can be triggered when necessary.
Taking a break, sharing the responsibility and linking up with others in similar circimstances for mutual support can help.
The dedicated team provides individual and group support, a programme of informative discussions called the Exchange, as well as regular social opportunities throughout the county. There is a Resource library available to service members, and a members' contact list offers a chance to get to know people who are living with the same challenges. And to keep everyone in touch, an occasional newsletter is published three times each year.
"Thank you so much for the information and for the very welcome news that you can offer some support. It was a bright light in what is at present a fairly dark place. May I say that your empathy with our situation, when I telephoned, gave me a real lift." - Jane
Facts about the service
- started in April 2005
- three staff dedicated to family support
- over 50 family members intensively supported this year
- between ages 8 to 80
You may download more information on the
Family Support Service (161KB)
You may also be interested in reading a report on Young child - Grandparent with dementia from
Oxford Institute of Ageing (258KB)
Social events are held throughout the year in locations across Oxfordshire. Relaxed and informal, these provide opportunities for the people we support, their partners and families to enjoy time together, supported by The Clive Project team.
Special events chosen by members to mark 10 years of service include:
A Balloon launch in April
A Barn Dance in July
A lasting legacy - the launch of the Friends of The Clive Project
And a public awareness event, Question Time on Dementia, in March
Baroness Susan Greenfield introduced the dementia debate,
The panel: Jo Coburn, BBC Political Correspondent (Chair) Clive Evers, Alzheimer's Society Director; Barbara Pointon, campaigner and former carer; Jeremy Wright MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Dementia and Bill Wilson, Alzheimer's Society Ambassador.
Bill was diagnosed with dementia in his late 50s and now seeks to increase the public's understanding of dementia. He says he accepts what he's got, 'I'm just Bill with dementia' and knows 'the beast will take me one day'. His plea is that we talk more about dementia 'mention it at least once a week' so we are used to hearing about the condition, and understand it better, 'don't hide it any longer, let's get it out of the shadows'.
A monthly evening Cafe providing enjoyable social time for younger people with dementia, their families and friends, an opportunity to meet up with others in similar circumstances and easy access to information and The Clive Project team is now part of our lively calendar. A delicious supper, music, games and occasional 'live' entertainment and a very warm welcome is on offer.
The cafe is on the fourth Thursday evening each month, excluding December, at Cassington Village Hall, Oxfordshire.
"I have a night out with someone to talk to who understands exactly what
my situation is because theirs is the same. I go home feeling much less isolated". - Heather
"the café provides me with a place of light relief, friendship, information, support, laughter - you don't have to explain about your partner's behaviour, you can relax completely". - Ness
Here you can see just some of the services and activities we are involved with. We are always looking out for new opportunities for improving the support of younger people with dementia and their families and friends.
The Clive Project, PO Box 315, Witney, Oxfordshire, OX28 1ZN T: 01993 776295 E: 
