The Emma Kent Award for Outstanding Contribution

Finalist x 4

Finalist Pg

Liz Jennings 2

Jamie Waldie 3

Jackie Tuppen 4

Tracy Jackson 5

Score Card 7

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Outstanding Contribution

Nomination: Liz Jennings

Reason for Nomination: (Photos 0)

Liz Jennings has over the past few years collaborated with people with dementia in successful projects, which have each been innovative, have significantly challenged the way people with dementia are perceived, and have made life better for particular people living with dementia. The first project was a writing course for people with dementia. Liz developed and ran the course for people with dementia, partnering with people living with dementia and student volunteers, The Beaney and KMPT in the organising, fund raising, advertising etc. These writings, edited by Liz, went on to become the very successful ‘Welcome to our World’ book, the first known collection of writings by people with dementia, which has since sold in the thousands and made over £6,000 for dementia charities. Participants lives were changed as they experienced learning and succeeding at something new. Family, friends and those around had their views about what people with dementia can do challenged, and those living with dementia who read the book were encouraged they were not alone. Then in partnership with people with dementia she ran a successful film club for people with dementia, designing discussion questions, training volunteers and facilitating conversations after the screening to help people make the most of the experience of watching the film. She provided editorial support to Keith Oliver, who lives with dementia, in the writing of his book ‘Walk the Walk, Talk the Talk’. Most recently she has been awarded lottery funding to run a project starting September 2017 teaching people with dementia to write short screen plays. This will involve partnership with The Marlow theatre, The Beaney, KMPT, and Student volunteers from Kent University. I don’t have any photos of Liz at work as she tends to give the limelight to showcasing the stigma challenging achievements of those living with dementia.

I nominate Liz for the inspiration she is to others working to make the world more dementia friendly, for her flexibility, partnership spirit, hard work, willingness to take risks and most of all her example of not being limited by preconceived ideas about

what people with dementia can or cannot do.

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The Emma Kent Award for Outstanding Contribution

Nomination: Jamie Waldie – Crossroads Care

Reason for Nomination:

Jamie works for Crossroads Care, working with those whom have received a diagnosis of Dementia as well as the family and carers of that person. Jamie has a long and strong background in mental health.

Jamie is the warmest gentleman I have ever met in the world of professionals, his heart is bigger than him. He offers such support and empowerment to every individual he meets that even those in their darkest hour can be lifted by Jamie. He continuously works tirelessly to provide every piece of care, signposting and structured support that he can to all the folks that he meets. Jamie also vocalises the importance of supporting the whole family, not just the person whom is living with Dementia.

Jamie has also worked hard across Thanet to bring all professionals together, to support one another and complement each other services for the benefit of those we all care for. His enthusiasm to bring us all together is infectious and he really has achieved his goal in doing this.

His passion lies in helping people, his nature is wonderfully kind and his empathy is real - he is a true inspiration to work alongside and really does change people’s lives. Nothing is ever too much trouble and whilst Jamie is a fantastic team player he is also a true leader in changing people’s attitudes.

Words to sum Jamie up! Inspirational / supportive / kind / empathetic / generous / professional / caring / comforting / reassuring / educated and informative / funny / emotional : )

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The Emma Kent Award for Outstanding Contribution

Nomination: Jackie Tuppen

Reason for Nomination:

When it came time for Jackie to retire from the NHS as an Admiral Nurse she wanted to continue to work for people living with dementia. A carer had asked where her husband could go for stimulation. She was concerned that the only avenue open to them seemed to be day centres and in her words “he’s not that bad”. Jackie had received training in Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) which is an evidence based group programme of activity and stimulation grounded in person centred care. It is recommended in the NICE Guidelines (2006) as a non-drug related treatment for memory problems. This seemed to be the sort of thing she was looking for. CST normally runs as a two hour session, twice a week, over seven weeks and is led by professionals but as with many therapies there comes a time when a person is discharged from the service.

With this in mind Jackie developed a programme that is based on and run in the same structured way as a CST session. She extended the time from 2 hours to become a day of activity, stimulation, music and fun for a person with mild dementia.

The day is from 10am to 3pm, once a week, for as long as a member can benefit from the stimulation. It provides the opportunity for them to recall or develop new skills in activities and to facilitate the transfer of these skills to activities at home. It also provides the family/carer/significant other with a day’s respite. Fun is a key component to the day.Two of the authors of CST, Dr Aimee Spector and Professor Bob Woods have given advice and support for this project.

Cogs Clubs started in East Kent and have now spread and are run around the country and overseas, all following Jackie’s programme. They bring a valuable, enjoyable, regular experience to the person with dementia which they would not be able to access otherwise. They also provide an opportunity for support and friendship at what can be a potentially scary and lonely time.

Jackie also volunteers almost weekly at the local Community Mental Health Service for Older People in the administration office. Jackie uses her time to undertake the vital yet tedious tasks such as scanning and filing which enables the office staff to be able to concentrate on the more urgent tasks. Jackie’s contribution is extremely valued and appreciated by the Administration Team and the wider service.

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The Emma Kent Award for Outstanding Contribution

Nomination: Tracy Jackson. Dementia Specialist Nurse Heart of Kent Hospice

Reason for Nomination:

When Heart of Kent Hospice launched a Dementia Service in 2015, Tracy Jackson was appointed Lead Dementia Specialist Nurse. Following a personal experience, nursing her own mother with advanced Dementia, Tracy developed a keen interest to support and care for others in similar situations.

From 6 patients in 2015, to over 174 today, Tracy has been pivotal in developing the service, encouraging the Hospice to accept Dementia referrals from the point of diagnosis rather than in the last year of life. Between April 2016 and April 2017 the Hospice Dementia Service cared for 333 dementia sufferers and supported their families and carer.

Tracy sees patients and their families / carers in their own homes, nursing homes or at the Hospice. Her dedication was demonstrated when she changed her working hours to accommodate early morning or evening visits to reach carers/ family members who work. She runs a monthly Dementia Café at the hospice where sufferers and their families / carers can drop in for informal support, peer support and signposting to other local agencies where they can get help.

Tracy offers expert advice and support including, advance care planning, medicines for symptom management, managing challenging behaviour, mental capacity issues and end of life care.

Whilst individual patient contact is a major part of Tracy’s role, she works closely with GP’s and other Mental Health professionals to provide a seamless experience for patients. She is also an excellent educator, teaching patients and families how to manage certain symptoms or situations and teaching other healthcare professionals from her vast experience and evidence based knowledge. Tracy attends dementia meetings at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Hospital, is a member of the Dementia Kent Alliance, and has trained volunteers in the hospice shops to create dementia friendly environments. She has pioneered Dementia only golf and bowls days so patients maintain their participation in activities they enjoy. Tracy continues to be innovative, currently developing a ‘Making Memories’ program for patients and their carers.

Nationally Tracy presented a poster about the Hospice Dementia Service at a Conference in Glasgow getting the message “out there” that hospices can play a large role in supporting and caring for dementia patients.

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Tracy always goes “above and beyond” in her role. She has supported over 300 patients and their families/carers over the past 2 years. During this time she has developed her own skills to enable her to deliver best practice and an innovative service which always has the patient’s best interest at heart.

“..thank you for all your care and kindness in helping us get through these past few months as Dad gradually lost his battle. It was comforting to know that you were

always there and available to ensure Dad was kept as comfortable as possible in all the difficulties surrounding his illness. We also felt reassured that everything was put

in place so that he would not be distressed at the end.” Linda

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The Emma Kent Award for Outstanding Contribution

Score Sheet: Please score each nomination 1-10

The more you like it The Higher you score it

1

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Finalist Your score

Liz Jennings

Jamie Waldie

Jackie Tuppen

Tracy Jackson

Please Also fill in the below and return to:

Laura Summers | Project Officer – Community Support | Strategic Commissioning | Social Care, Health and Wellbeing | Kent County Council | Third Floor, Invicta House, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1XX

Or you can call Laura and leave her a message on 07825 712701 and she will call you back (Tues-Thurs)

Or email her at Laura.Summers2@kent.gov.uk

Your NameYour Postal Town

Do you have a dementia Diagnosis?

Yes / No Are you a family carer?

Yes / No

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