As a Social Care Officer supporting day groups for people living with dementia, I am passionate about making a difference in the lives of people we support. I especially enjoy building trusting, positive relationships with individuals and their families, ensuring they feel valued, respected and supported throughout their journey.

One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is organising engaging, person-centred activities that promote well-being, independence and social connection. Seeing the positive impact these activities have on individuals inspires me every day.

Nicole West

My name is Ann Corbett and have worked with the service for many years ,I have always enjoyed my job and people I have worked with throughout the years.  It is very rewarding and I have never really considered it a job!!

I prefer to think of it as an extended family, everyone has so much to give and if you look behind their illness you see so many real people who have had really  interesting lives.

This job teaches you both patience and understanding and  makes you realise  the many high points we have in the day with loads of fun and laughter.

Ann

My memories of working at The Day Group Support

We have been very lucky over the years to support a lot of men at the Day Group Support Service.  

I remember one group with great fondness which was predominately men.  The men loved being together, they got so much out of the group, had so much in common and so much to reminisce about.

The men were all former tradesmen, dominoes became an important part of the day for them all.  When they worked all 3 men used to play dominoes in their lunch breaks.  The games often became quite competitive.

My dad was a joiner to trade and was renovating my house.  I used to regularly take one of our men (was himself a joiner) to see how the jobs were coming along.  He loved to see the progress.  He felt very involved and had so many long chats with my dad about the job, regularly giving his input and tips on types of wood best suited for the job.

One of the other gentlemen was a retired painter but also a well known ice hockey player in the area.  If this gentleman wasn’t painting he was at the ice rink.  I took him along there regularly.  His face would light up when he saw the building.  Memories came flooding back.  We used to sit outside in the car and talk about all his skating experiences.

At the moment I work with a gentleman who used to be a chef many years ago.  I take him shopping a couple of times a week.  We will then prepare simple food together in his kitchen.  He really enjoys doing this and eats it better knowing he has made it.

I have so many lovely memories of each and every one of our service users.

Linda Murphy

Support Worker

My name is Ann Mason and I have worked for DPDS for 11years. My job involves working with people who are sadly approaching the advanced stages of dementia. Over the years I have learned you need a big heart, patience, grace and an acceptance of things you cannot change. There are many, many rewards in this job but the main one for me is providing safety, dignity and to offer comfort to whomever needs it most. My job is very important to me and if I can go home knowing I have done the best I can to make their life with dementia easier, then I a happy.

I work as a support worker at DPDS, I have been working her since September 2024. I previously worked as a healthcare assistant at the day hospital doing group work and assessments for NHS, once covid hit all groups were closed so my role changed. I missed working in a group setting so decided to move to DPDS. I enjoy making our people laugh and supporting them to go for walks round Dollar park, I work with a great group of people.

Linda Bruce