Please watch 'How to use an Emergency Evacuation Chair from Evac+Chair' - link here

Please read 'Fire Procedure for all visitors, volunteers & staff' website page - link here

*Please read 'Wheelchair and disabled transport' and 'Medical Emergency and Vehicle Breakdown' website page - link here

*Please watch the 'Wheelchair and disabled transport' related video - link here

 (*Only if relevent to your role)

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Safety

Members feel as safe as possible in all aspects of their care and support, and are free from any risks of abuse, exploitation or neglect. Please refer to the Safeguarding Policy, Code of Conduct and Whistleblowing policy in the Appendix.

Confidentiality

Members and their families know that information about them is managed appropriately, and everyone involved in Dementia Active respects members confidentiality.

Whilst some of these values may sound quite formal and somewhat removed from the day-to-day experience of running sessions, they are embedded in human rights legislation. People living with dementia are classed as being ‘vulnerable’ and therefore progressively more limited in their ability to stand up for their rights themselves. Organisations working with vulnerable people are required to hold these values at the forefront of everything they do.

However, to make all this feel more real, a key question for each person in the team is:

‘What would I want to feel and experience, if at some point in the future I was attending a Dementia Active session as a member?’

Sorry thats not right. Here's the extract from the hand book that may help with the answer:-

Eating together in a small group is also an attempt to replicate the experience of
being at a family meal or in a restaurant, with obvious limitations. Plates should
only be cleared away on each table when everyone has finished eating as
would happen in a restaurant. If a member has finished eating and wishes their
plate to be removed, simply move it away to the end of the table. Team members
should only serve and clear their own tables, so as to minimise the amount of
moving around generally during the meal. Low volume background music helps
promote a relaxed atmosphere, conversation and the occasional burst of song
when people join in!

If a member needs regular support with eating there will be an allocated
member of the team with an enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring
Service) check to provide this as well as a second volunteer on that table.
Occasionally a member may need help with cutting up food, anyone may do this.

Sorry thats not right. Here's the extract from the hand book that may help with the answer:-

Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (though we prefer to use the term
‘techniques’ instead of ‘therapy’ as the latter may give people unrealistic
expectations of what CST can achieve) is essentially the stimulation of
different parts of the brain using a variety of structured sensory and
discussion activities. 

The principles behind the delivery of CST underpin all of our activities (including lunchtime which is essentially an activity): music – singing/instruments; activities which involve gross motor coordination skills (large bodily movements) for example - seated exercise, singing and dancing, percussion instruments; bingo; fine motor coordination skills, for example - drawing, use of cutlery; social conversation at lunch time as well as the focused CST themed discussions and quizzes.

Sorry thats not right. Here's the extract from the hand book that may help with the answer:-

One key aspect of CST is the importance of orientation in relation to
time/date/season/current affairs/place, in other words, all those aspects of our
lives of which we have an inbuilt awareness. When people retire they commonly
say that they lose track of the day of the week as the normal distinction between
the working week and leisure time at the weekend has gone. People living with
dementia are further withdrawn from the present. They lose awareness of the
time of day, what the current season is and celebratory events in the calendar,
for example: Christmas, Easter, Valentines Day and even their own birthdays.

At the beginning of the session the group leader will always announce the day
and date and will comment on the weather/significant national events etc.
Also, throughout the session there may be opportunities in general conversation
with members to make similar references. Themed discussions on calendar
events (Christmas, Easter, Valentines Day, Halloween etc) are a simple way to
support orientation, also seasonal weather and extreme weather events. Topical
discussions may be possible using newspaper headlines, for instance, climate
change/general elections.

Sorry thats not right. Here's the extract from the hand book that may help with the answer:-

 The emotional downward spiral needs to be caught early and behaviours
indicating a developing problem observed - for example restlessness or lack of
appetite. At this point it may still be possible to distract someone away from
whatever is worrying them. So:-
o Take her to a quiet place with reduced sensory stimulation.
o Offer a nice cake and a cup of tea, she may well have a sweet tooth!
o Look at photos – in an album/phone.
 If her emotions have spiralled out of control remove as much sensory input as
possible – sit with her in silence. This may sound unkind but it can help as it is
likely her sensory/emotional system is on overload meaning she is unable to
absorb any information about how long she must wait before going home etc.

Sorry thats not right. Here's the extract from the hand book that may help with the answer:-

Sometimes however there can be challenges as the illness may cause people to behave
in ways which are difficult to accept.
 We should always do our best to respond to our members positively even if they
display behaviours which in normal circumstances would not be socially acceptable,
for instance licking a plate after a meal or using fingers to eat instead of a knife and
fork. Dementia causes people to forget social norms and they should never be
criticised or corrected. Any attempt to change the behaviour could cause distress and
embarrassment and will almost certainly be forgotten by the time of the next meal.
 Perhaps more difficult is learning to ignore any personal comments from members
which may feel unpleasant. It is very important to bear in mind that a consequence
of dementia can be personality changes, increased irritability and disinhibition. Such
changes and the ensuing difficult behaviours are beyond people’s control. If
someone with dementia makes rude comments, is physically aggressive or makes
sexual advances, it may seem as if they know what they are doing and therefore that
they can control and stop these behaviours. And whilst the former maybe true to
some degree it is also the case that they are unlikely to be able to stop as damage
to the frontal lobe, (the part of the brain which enables us to control our behaviours)
makes this impossible. However, this does not mean that difficult behaviours should
be ignored as they can impact negatively on the rest of the group. But it does mean
that reprimands are unlikely to work.

Sorry thats not right. Here's the extract from the hand book that may help with the answer:-

 Provide light support under the person’s elbows which are tucked into their
body. Sometimes members may have been taught to rock their upper body
forwards by other agencies, which can help – but this needs to be learnt both by
the individual and those who are enabling the person to stand.
 When 2 people are providing support – only 1 person should give
instructions, this person takes the lead.
 Never try to lift by supporting under the armpits as this may cause damage
to joints and muscles and will potentially result in bruising. Be patient and
encourage the person to find their own movements. Ensuring they have moved
forward in their seat and their feet are correctly positioned ready to stand are
crucial.
 If the person cannot stand unaided use the following procedure:
Always ensure that the person’s elbows are firmly tucked into their sides and
provide support under the elbows, pushing inwards and upwards at the same
time. Ensure that their feet are correctly positioned – apart with one foot forward.
Encourage the person to shuffle forward in their seat before directing them to
stand. Only use this technique if the individual does not have the capacity
or physical strength to stand unaided.

Sorry thats not right. Here's the extract from the hand book that may help with the answer:-

Safeguarding means keeping people safe from harm. Of necessity due to the risks posed
when working with vulnerable people due to their dementia and frailty, it is a complex
and layered subject which everyone involved in the charity has a responsibility to engage
with. There are 2 equally important aspects to safeguarding: - -
Keeping people safe during sessions and travelling to and from sessions,
during which time the charity has a legal responsibility for their safety.
Observation of anything during the sessions or when being collected
and dropped back home, which may indicate that a person is not safe
in their own home.
It goes without saying that everyone connected with the charity has the best interests of
our members at heart. But there is a secondary level of importance to having clear
safeguarding policies. Were there unthinkably to be an incident in which a member was
hurt or worse, the implications for the survival of the charity could potentially be dire.
Serious incidents must legally be reported to the charity commission which might after
investigation take the view that the charity is unable to keep members safe. Additionally,
even if the charity was not at fault, a serious incident would almost certainly end up being
reported in the local press. Human nature being what it is, if we hear something negative
about an organisation or a person - ’mud sticks’. This would have the potential to
significantly harm our reputation locally and as a consequence reduce our capacity to
continue supporting those living with dementia in our area.
There are a number of responsibilities which the charity as an organisation must
manage: safe recruitment practice, for example - seeking references, interviews of
potential new staff, close observation and support for new volunteers and staff; DBS
(Disclosure and Barring Service) checks for criminal records including lists of those
barred from working with vulnerable people; risk assessments in relation to members
moving around the building; safeguarding training sessions for the staff team and
44
trustees to raise awareness; fire safety awareness training; first aid training for identified
first aiders; building safety and security; driver and vehicle checks.
We would always want to believe that our colleagues prioritise the welfare of the
members and that it would never be possible for anyone to come to harm in a session
through the ill intent of a member of the team. Unfortunately, though, charities supporting
vulnerable adults are known to be attractive to the wrong sort of people, for example,
someone who might want to extract money from members. Or someone who may
attempt to befriend a member’s family for their own purposes, for instance, offering care
support. Some years ago a new and friendly volunteer had to be rejected on the basis of
the strong gut feelings of those who worked alongside him that something did not feel
right about his behaviour in the session. Listening to and acting upon gut feelings is
a crucial element of good safeguarding practice. It is the responsibility of everyone
to notice the behaviour of colleagues and to report anything which does not
comply with the Code of Conduct or does not feel quite right.

Sorry thats not right. Here's the extract from the hand book that may help with the answer:-

Short term and long-term memory are familiar concepts, and we all have a sense of how
they operate in our lives along with a reduced ability to recall information as we get older.
This is a normal part of ageing, for instance immediately forgetting the name of the
person you have just been introduced to. In that split second the average person may be
taking in the appearance of the person or will perhaps be wondering who they are and
therefore does not absorb their name. More of this later. Other common experiences of
memory loss are losing the car in an unfamiliar car park or the car keys if they were not
put in their usual place. Such experiences may increase with age but they are not
symptoms of dementia. An example of a more concerning memory loss would be that of
hunting for the car in a car park and despite ‘seeing it’ the visual processing part of the
brain does not instantaneously recognise the familiar features of the car. Other
concerning events might include misplacing items and finding them in strange places,
for example car keys in the fridge.
Dementia is an umbrella term covering a range of neurological conditions affecting the
brain which worsen over time. It has been estimated that there may be as many as two
hundred different kinds of dementia. Whilst there are differences in the signs and
symptoms and how each develops the thing they all have in common is the progressive
destruction of brain cells. See the illustration showing the impact of damage on brain
functioning page 49. Whilst it is not crucial it can be helpful to have a broad
understanding of the main forms of dementia and how each can impact on the lives of
our members. Though many people will never have been given a diagnosis beyond that
of dementia or mixed dementia, another example of the way in which dementia is often
not treated with the same medical parity as other forms of illness.
This is not a form of dementia but describes changes taking place in the brain which are
visible on an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan. These changes can affect
memory, thinking and mood and the impact will have become noticeable both to the
individual and to family members.

Sorry thats not right. Here's the extract from the hand book that may help with the answer:-

This is a set of crucial cognitive processes which enable us to learn new information, for
instance when asking for directions to get to our destination when Google maps is
inaccurate. Firstly, we must be able to hold onto the directions and then secondly
visualise the information as we drive. In order to do this the brain will rehearse the
instructions and may also link these to previously known information about the
destination. Having arrived at our destination the directions will be forgotten if no longer
needed for future travel and will not enter long term memory. However, if needed for
future journeys, the level of attention paid to the instructions in conjunction with working
memory will enable the route to become fixed in long term memory.
Working memory is the ability to:
o make links between past knowledge and new information;
o the ability to see patterns by making meaningful connections between old and
new;
o and of particular importance, the ability to make use of visual working memory.
For instance, remembering a name may be helped by noticing a distinguishing
feature of a person’s appearance and linking this to someone already known,
perhaps a moustache or brightly coloured hair. Connecting the name to
something visual can help anchor it in long term memory. Likewise, when being
introduced to someone try linking their name with a friend who has the same
name. Visualise the friend alongside the new acquaintance. The struggle most of
us experience in holding onto people’s names is nothing to do with having a poor
memory but is due to never having learnt how to pay attention and make use of
working memory. This ought to be taught in schools!
In relation to dementia reduced attention can be due to:
 lack of interest in for example, a conversation or a TV programme;
 reduced ability to focus on conversation and hold onto the meaning of what is
being said;

Sorry thats not right. Here's the extract from the hand book that may help with the answer:-

Dementia Active was established
in December 2018 when Andrew
Gill opened the first weekly activity
group in Aynho village hall. With
just three members he and Melissa
Fazackerley who initially joined
him as a volunteer driver, could not
possibly have imagined that the
organisation would develop into
what it is today.
The Aynho group increased in numbers and the following May, Andrew registered
Dementia Active as a Community Interest Company (CIC). CICs were a relatively newly
instituted and simple means by which any community group could be established as a
non-profit making organisation. New activity groups were set up in Abingdon and the
village of Holton near Oxford in response to a request by Dementia Oxfordshire to take
over their group services which were about to be closed down. However transporting
members across Oxfordshire proved difficult and time consuming. Consequently in 2020
during covid lockdowns the decision was made to focus all efforts on Banbury, renting
community halls and building up a network of local groups. This proved so successful
that we fairly soon began to outgrow the halls and in the Autumn of 2021 the search for
our own building began in earnest. In July 2021 we had also achieved registration as a
charity and this enabled us to begin a fundraising campaign to set up our own dementia
centre.
We were enormously grateful to receive the support of a local fundraising group – Kelly’s
Heroes. They organised a sponsored bike ride from Banbury to Land’s End and raised
nearly £10,000. These funds kick-started the search and in July 2022 we finally moved
into our own building: 7 Manor Park, Wildmere Road, just outside the centre of Banbury.

Sorry thats not right. Here's the extract from the hand book that may help with the answer:-

Dementia Active is a charity and as such the overall legal
responsibility for the safe and effective running of the charity lies with the board. The
trustees are accountable to the Charity Commission and must present a report to the
Commission annually together with a set of accounts. Our charity number is 1195246
and we can be found on the Charity Commission Register.
Some of the trustees have specific roles which they have volunteered to undertake for
example: safeguarding, legal compliance, secretary, and treasurer. Trustees act in a
voluntary capacity and can only be paid expenses for things directly connected with their
role such as printing or mileage for attending meetings. – a member of the board of trustees and responsible for the overall management
of the charity. Senior Management - Ensure that sessions run smoothly and can deputise in the absence of the CEO. Group Leaders – are responsible for everything which takes place within their sessions. Session Assistants – the role is to support the group leader in leading/organising
sessions. Ancillary Staff – all crucial to the successful functioning of the Centre: operations co-ordinator, chef, drivers, cleaning services.– without whom sessions could not run and the charity could therefore not survive. Their observations and relationships with members are vital.
Opening the Centre and adapting it has involved huge expenditure and
would not have been possible without the combined efforts of the following:
Grants Manager: Applications for grants from national and local grant awarding
bodies
A fundraiser working with local businesses: networking, developing
relationships with local businesses to attract funding, running fundraiser events.
They mostly do not have a hands-on role within the charity, however their own
personal profiles and work in the local area adds to Dementia Active’s credibility as a
charity and therefore to its public profile

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Prevention
It is better to act before harm occurs whilst bearing in mind the following principle….
Proportionality
This means taking the least intrusive action depending upon the level of risk a person
may be at. In the empowerment example, overzealous questioning of family members
may lead to the person being withdrawn from sessions and losing a space in which they
feel heard and can be monitored.
Protection
The charity will always work to support and represent its members.
Partnership
Dementia Active works with OSAB (the Oxfordshire Safeguarding Adults Board) and
Oxfordshire County Council Adult Social Care Team. Concerns can be reported to OSAB
which provides an advisory service, without having to make a formal safeguarding
referral.
Accountability
Accountability and transparency in delivering safeguarding. The Charity Commission
requires charities to report serious incidents where harm has occurred. If policies or
64
procedures are not adhered to resulting in a member(s) being at significant risk of harm,
then this must also be reported even if no harm occurred.

Sorry thats not right. Here's the extract from the hand book that may help with the answer:-

 Developing a personal friendship with a member which extends beyond the group
setting.
 Making private arrangements to meet members or their families outside of the
sessions.
 Linking up with a member on any social media/messaging platform.
 Giving your personal contact details (mobile number, email or home address) to
any member or their family.
 Offering personal care to someone (for instance assisting a member in the toilets)
if this is not part of your agreed role and therefore you do not have the required
enhanced DBS check.
 Administering any prescribed medication unless this is an agreed part of your
role.
 Offering your own personal medication to members for example any form
of pain relief. If a member is in pain a carer must be contacted and if necessary
the person may need to return home.
 Discussing any information about a member or their family with anyone who is
not involved with Dementia Active. Members' rights to privacy are paramount.
This boundary is not always easy to keep in a small town where people often
have wide friendship circles which may overlap, but it must be adhered to.
73
 Teasing or banter which has not been initiated by members and could therefore
be misinterpreted, causing offence.
 Making sarcastic, insensitive, derogatory or sexually suggestive comments or
gestures to or in front of members or to other members of the team.
 Acting in a way that could be perceived as threatening or intrusive when trying to
persuade a member to do something they would prefer not to do.
 Conducting a sexual relationship with a Dementia Active member or engaging in
any form of sexual contact regardless as to whether it was felt that the member
had invited this. Any such behaviour by anyone working for the charity would be
seen as gross misconduct (see Disciplinary Policy) and would if after a 5 day
period of investigation found this to be true - lead to instant dismissal.
 Wearing clothes which are overly revealing and which therefore may be
misinterpreted as deliberately sexually provocative.
 Allowing allegations about abuse or misconduct to go unreported.
 Coming to work in a group while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
 Coming to work smelling of alcohol even though this may have been consumed
the evening before.
 Drinking alcohol at Dementia Active events e.g. Christmas parties.
 Giving or receiving gifts from members (other than token presents at Christmas
or birthday celebrations).
 Giving or receiving gifts of money directly from members.
 Lending or borrowing money from members.
 Selling to/buying from a member.
 Taking photographs of activities is prohibited unless it is a defined part of your role

Sorry thats not right. Here's the extract from the hand book that may help with the answer:-

This Whistleblowing Procedure sets out the framework for dealing with allegations of
illegal or unacceptable conduct.
 It is intended to provide a means of making serious allegations about
standards, conduct, financial irregularity or possible unlawful action.
 It is designed to ensure confidentiality and protect those making allegations
from being victimised or discriminated against.
 It is intended to ensure that the charity complies with its duty under the Public
Interest Disclosure Act 1998, the legal framework for protecting
whistleblowers.
The policy applies to all Dementia Active trustees, employees and volunteers. It does
not replace other Dementia Active policies or procedures. For example, if an employee
has a grievance about their working conditions, they should follow the Dementia Active
Grievance Policy. Similarly if an employee has a concern about the conduct of a fellow
employee in the working environment, for example, that they are not treating colleagues
with respect, they should raise these in the first instance with their group leader or if the
issue is connected to this person then the CEO or the chair of trustees.
The policy applies to allegations about any of the following:
 Conduct which is illegal.
 Serious health and safety risks.

Sorry thats not right. Here's the extract from the hand book that may help with the answer:-

The CEO is currently the health and safety officer and fire officer for the charity and responsible for adherence to the following policy.

•       Prevent accidents and cases of work-related ill health by managing health and safety risks in the workplace.

•       Provide clear instructions and information, and adequate training, to ensure employees and volunteers are competent to do their work.

•       Engage and consult with employees and volunteers on day-to-day health and safety matters.

•       Implement emergency procedures in relation to for example - the injury/illness of a member during a group session or other significant incident.

•       Maintain safe and healthy working conditions and ensure safe use of all equipment.

•       Review and revise this policy as necessary at regular intervals and also in response to an incident or a change in circumstances.

Sorry thats not right. Here's the extract from the hand book that may help with the answer:-

Annual evacuation practice including the use of the Evac Chair

The staff understand that the lift should not in any circumstances be used.

One volunteer in each group to take ambulant members to the nearest fire exit.

The other volunteers to assist those with mobility issues and wheelchair users to exit the building where possible.

There are 2 evacuation plans for downstairs and upstairs.

The meeting point in the event of a fire is the car park of unit 6, at the front of our building. Please meet here if it is safe to do so. Please always listen to any instructions given by the fire warden(s).

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•       It is the aim of the charity to ensure that no employee, volunteer or job applicant receives less favourable treatment (either directly or indirectly) in recruitment or employment in relation to their age, disability, gender or gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy, maternity, race, religion or belief system, sex, or sexual orientation. These are all protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. 

•       Our aim is that our team will be truly representative of all sections of society and each person feels respected and able to give of their best.

•       We oppose all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination or victimisation and the purpose of this policy is to ensure equality and fairness for all members of the team both employees and volunteers.

•       All employees and volunteers, whether part-time, full-time or temporary, will be treated fairly and with respect. Selection for employment, promotion, training or any other benefit will be on the basis of aptitude and ability. All employees and volunteers will be helped and encouraged to develop their full potential, and the talents and resources of the team will be fully utilised to maximise the effectiveness of the charity in supporting people with dementia.

•       Dementia Active will not discriminate directly or indirectly or harass the members who attend groups because of their age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or beliefs, sex and sexual orientation. 

•       This policy shall operate in accordance with statutory requirements along with the requirements of the Charity Commission, including the Public Sector Equality Duty 2011 which supplements the original Equality Act of 2010. 

•       To create an environment in which individual differences and the contributions of all members of the team are recognised and valued.

•       Every employee and volunteer is entitled to a working environment that promotes dignity and respect for all. 

•       No form of intimidation, bullying or harassment will be tolerated. 

•       Training where required for particular roles will be available to all. 

•       That all members of the team should feel valued for what they do.

•       The charity will regularly review employment practices and procedures to ensure fairness. 

•       Breaches of this Equality Policy will be regarded as misconduct and could lead to disciplinary proceedings. 

•       The policy will be monitored and reviewed annually. 

Responsibility for ensuring the effective implementation and operation of the arrangements will rest with the trustees. They will ensure that they and the Dementia Active team operate within this policy and arrangements and that all reasonable and practical steps are taken to avoid any form of discrimination. 

The Board will ensure that: 

•       Everyone is aware of the policy and the charity’s legal obligations.

•       That grievances concerning discrimination are dealt with properly, fairly and as quickly as possible within the guidance laid down in the Grievance Policy. 

•       That proper records are maintained. 

•       That the operation of the policy is monitored and reviewed in relation to all members of the team and job applicants. 

Responsibility for ensuring that there is no unlawful discrimination rests with everyone so the attitudes of employees and volunteers are crucial to the successful operation of fair employment practices. In particular, all members of the team should: 

•       Comply with the policy. 

•       Not discriminate in their day-to-day activities or enable others to do so. 

•       Not victimise, harass or intimidate other members of the team who have, or are perceived to have one of the protected characteristics. 

•       Ensure no individual is discriminated against or harassed because of their association with another individual who has a protected characteristic. 

•       Inform the chair of the board of trustees if they become aware of any discriminatory practice.

Third-party harassment may occur if a Dementia Active employee or volunteer is harassed in relation to a protected characteristic, by third parties such as referring agencies or member’s families or friends. The charity will not tolerate any such harassment against any person in the team. The charity has a formal Complaints Policy available on the website, which any person outside of the organisation should be directed to make use of. Anyone who feels they have experienced such discrimination should inform the chair of the board of trustees as soon as possible. The charity will investigate fully and take all reasonable steps to ensure such harassment does not occur again. 

Sorry thats not right. Here's the extract from the hand book that may help with the answer:-

The charity aims to promote communication between employees and volunteers and so wherever possible, everyone should try to resolve any grievance at work by discussing it informally with their manager to try and agree a solution. If the grievance is too serious; if the employee or the senior management think it is not appropriate in the circumstances to deal with the grievance informally; or if discussing the grievance informally does not work, the employee's grievance will be dealt with formally.

If the charity feels that an investigatory interview would be helpful at any stage during the grievance process before a formal meeting is held or continued, statements may be taken from the employee or witnesses. No decision will be taken until after a grievance hearing has been held. An employee does not normally have the right to bring a companion to an investigative interview. However, the charity may allow the employee to bring a companion in its absolute discretion.

To raise the matter formally the employee/volunteer should write to their immediate supervisor setting out the facts of the grievance, avoiding insulting or abusive language and trying to give specific examples of the complaint, copies of documents, names of witnesses, and dates where possible.

Where an employee's grievance is against their immediate supervisor, the employee should write to the CEO or the chair of the board of trustees. 

•       Within five working days, the employee's line manager will respond, in writing, to the employee's written grievance, inviting them to attend a meeting.

•       The employee's line manager will usually hold the meeting (unless they are the subject of the grievance, or it is not reasonably practicable for them to hold the meeting).

The charity encourages employees to bring a companion to formal meetings.

Sorry thats not right. Here's the extract from the hand book that may help with the answer:-

On occasion, employees, volunteers and students who are studying for professional qualifications may spend time with a member or small group of members by themselves. There are multiple rooms available for activities and these can be utilised at different times during sessions.  Some one-to-one activities will be planned but others may be unanticipated depending on the needs and preferences of members at any particular moment. No-one will be expected to take on a lone working role if they do not feel confident to do this. The following lone working situations require different levels of experience and skills:

•       Planned one to one support for a member may be requested by the group leader if someone is likely to benefit from an activity more suited to their level of cognitive functioning. This will have been discussed with the member beforehand and their agreement sought.

•       Planned small group activities, for instance, using the light table with members who need additional sensory input. The staff member will know who they have in their group in advance and will be aware of any potential difficulties which may arise. They must also have a walkie talkie with them in the event that someone in the group needs to use the toilet facilities as the rest of the group must not be left alone.

•       Unplanned one to one time may be requested by a member during a group activity, for instance the person may be struggling with noise levels in the main group. 

•       Supporting members who need to use the toilet facilities. Always make sure that the group leader is aware. 

•       One to one support is sometimes needed if a member has become distressed and wishes to leave the Centre. 

Sorry thats not right. Here's the extract from the hand book that may help with the answer:-

The charity has statutory safeguarding duties in relation to all students under the age of 18 years.

•       All dates for work experience and placements need to be pre-approved and students need to provide appropriate documentation to be completed from their college/university. Any tariff for placements is dealt with by the CEO.

•       Students will all have an allocated supervisor who will support them in their learning objectives and liaise with higher education institutes or further education colleges.

•       Weekly supervision will take place between supervisor and student.

•       Any student under the age of 18 years will have an allocated member of staff providing daily information and support.

•       All students will be offered a pre-placement visit.

•       Students must complete an individual risk assessment with their supervisor within five days of starting the placement.

•       Students will receive a copy of the Dementia Active Team Guide and be expected to have read all policies prior to their start date particularly: the Safeguarding Policy, Code of Conduct, and Whistleblowing procedure. Students under the age of 18 years must never work alone with members.

Sorry thats not right. Here's the extract from the hand book that may help with the answer:-

The primary purpose of this activity is to provide a means by which members can be encouraged to attend to verbal instructions and visual prompts in order to carry out familiar and easy exercises. The aim is not to improve flexibility or muscle strength, although this may be an outcome in the long term.

Risk
Actions to mitigate risk
Level of risk with mitigating actions in place
Muscular injury through excessive stress/strain

Injury through incorrect execution of activity.
Use exercises recommended on NHS website:

https://www.nhs.uk/livewell/exercise/sitting-exercises/

Demonstrate all movements slowly and remind members at the beginning of every exercise to do it slowly.

Always warn members not to do an exercise if there is any discomfort and to stop if this happens.

Low number of repetitions of each movement - between 5 and 10

High level of volunteer support....one to one if needed.

First aider present
Low
Over exertion leads to a negative physical response to exercise - overly heavy breathing, dizziness etc.
Close observation of participating members to prevent this occurring.
Low
Falls
Ensure members remain seated throughout.
Low
 

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Dogs are wonderful companions and their presence can be extremely beneficial for people living with dementia. Whilst we are happy for volunteers or visitors to bring dogs into sessions occasionally, this needs to happen within clear guidelines.

•       If a member of the team plans to bring their dog into a session they must first seek permission from the CEO and provide reassurance that the dog will be fully in their control at all times. 

•       Dogs must be on the lead when members are moving around between activities and at lunchtime. Not all our members enjoy contact with dogs and some may be fearful but unable to express their fear. The staff team should observe the reactions of group members to ensure that no one feels uncomfortable. Crucially the risk posed by a dog moving around the group room when members are not seated is high. The dog may pass by someone and be caught in their peripheral vision causing confusion and possibly a loss of balance. The danger posed to someone’s health from a fall is considerable and has the potential to result in broken bones/pneumonia/death.

Dementia Active may from time to time make use of charities which provide carer dogs. The arrangements for such dogs will be made between the charity and the organisation, taking into account the safety and wellbeing of the members

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•       CST - Making a Difference – Books 1 and 2 by Aimee Spector et al. Publisher Hawker Publications. Volume 2 is the more useful of the two as it expands upon the principles of CST defined in Volume 1. These are manuals for anyone interested in running activities. Although the suggested activity material is often too complex for most of our members the principles of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy are clearly defined and can be applied to most of what happens in the sessions. There is also a Book 3 for use by carers at home.

•       Simon – Dementia Blog –  a huge database of themed discussion materials. Although much of the content is too difficult for our members it is useful to dip into, particularly for quiz material and images. All the material on Simon’s website is freely available and copyright free. 

https://www.google.com/search?client=opera&q=simon+dementia+blog&sourceid= opera&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

•       The Multi-Sensory Reminiscence Activity Book – Sophie Jopling and Sarah Mousley. Published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Useful weekly themes with material which can be adapted for those in the mid stages of dementia.

•       The Activity Year Book – Anni Bowden and Nancy Lewthwaite. Published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Quite useful themed activities and source material based on seasons and celebrations, though primarily aimed at early-stage dementia.

•       The Pool Activity Level (PAL) Instrument for Occupational Profiling by Jackie Pool. Publisher – Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Despite its long title, for those with an interest in learning more about planning activities, this provides a very useful methodology for assessing individual functioning levels in order to provide activities suited to their capabilities. There are examples of activities graded to different functioning levels. Also, copyright free pages to photocopy. 

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–  involves those cognitive skills which enable us to plan, meet

goals, maintain self-control in difficult situations and responding flexibly. The area of the brain which manages these is the frontal lobe.

 – is the largest lobe in the brain. It controls motor function, problem solving,

memory, language, judgement, impulse control and social and sexual behaviour.

Changes in personality, behaviour and mood may indicate damage to the frontal lobe.

Gross motor skills: are the muscle groups in the torso, arms and legs which enable large, coordinated movements to take place.

Fine motor skills: are those which enable us to make the small muscular movements required e.g. to learn to write, draw, use a keyboard, use a knife and fork.

Thank you for completing the modules, you have shown an understanding of what Dementia Active is trying to acheive.