So:Linked

SO:Linked are working with voluntary, community and social enterprises to support the amazing activities across Southampton. We're helping people connect with the services and groups that are right for them. And we're supporting community action and volunteering. Take a look at our community directory, chat with a navigator or link up with our community development team, we'd love to hear from you.

About Dementia Friendly Southampton

A dementia-friendly community is a city, town or village where people with dementia are understood, respected and supported. In a dementia-friendly community people will be aware of and understand dementia, so that people with dementia can continue to live in the way they want to and in the community they choose.

We’re working with community groups, charities, businesses, local government and local residents to help bring this vision to Southampton.

Helping your group, organisation or business become dementia friendly​

We’d love to help you ensure your activity or business is welcoming and accommodating for people living with dementia and their carers. Sometimes this only takes a few simple adaptions to the environment or awareness raising sessions.

If you’d be interested in having a call with someone who can talk you through the process and help you identify ways you can become more dementia friendly then please get in touch: n.judd@southamptonvs.org.uk.



Southampton DFC
3 hours ago

The Bitterne Park Dementia café meets at the Ascension Church, Thorold Road, on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month, runs from 3pm to 4.30pm. At the café there will be occasional speakers, activities and discussions.

Read More


Southampton DFC
1 day ago

RT @S0Linked: Welcoming our friends, the Southampton Mental health Network (of which we’re a part) @SMHNsouthampton to Twittersville!😊defin…

Read More


Southampton DFC
4 days ago

Thanks @TTVSolent for highlighting these grants for us! If anyone wants to apply the information and forms are here: or they can contact Louise on L.Mackney@southamptonvs.org.uk https://t.co/qqu1rNmbfu

Read More

News & Information

Dementia Friendly Southampton grants launched!

As part of Dementia Friendly Southampton, Southampton Voluntary Services will be providing some small grants to help towards making Southampton a great place for people living with dementia and those who care for them.

To mark World Alzheimer’s Day we have launched our Dementia Friendly Southampton Grants. Grants are available for up to £750. We have extended the grant application deadline until Thursday 18th November at 10am. These grants are available for community groups, organisations, businesses to help to become more Dementia Friendly or to support people living with Dementia and their families and carers.

Click here to download the Dementia Friendly Southampton Grant Application Form

Click here to download the Dementia Friendly Southampton Grant Guidelines

IF you have any questions please contact Louise at L.Mackney@southamptonvs.org.uk

New Dementia Café opens in Bitterne Park

Terry and Diane live in Swaythling and Terry cares for Diane who has been diagnosed with dementia. They came along to the dementia café, enjoyed the crumpets and scones, joined in with the discussions about cruising and ferry life and had a go at the leaf quiz. Terry said, “caring for Diane can be quite challenging at times and so I look around for things we can go out to where we will be accepted”. Diane helped with the washing up at the end of the session and enjoyed chatting to other women around her age.

A group of volunteers led by Katherine Barbour, chair of Portswood and area dementia action group, have started up a dementia café in the city. There are already cafes in Highfield, Thornhill and Lordshill but nothing in this part of the city. The Bitterne Park café meets at the Ascension Church, Thorold Road, on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month, runs from 3pm to 4.30pm and is open to all. The café welcomes people living with dementia or cognitive impairment and their carers. At the café there will be occasional speakers and each time there will be activities and a discussion topic.

This time the topic was plants and leaves and Ros Simpson put together a few sheets of leaves for people to identify and discuss.

If you would like to know more about the café do ring Katherine Barbour on 07763 863360 or email her on portswooddag@gmail.com 


Click here to watch the recording of ‘Linking with dementia friendly activities in Southampton’

New memory cafe in Bitterne Park

Katherine Barbour writes, “Dementia is one of the toughest diagnoses that a person can receive and learning to adjust to this news is really hard for both the person and their family.  My mum Jane was diagnosed with dementia while living in a care home and she became very depressed for some time after this.  After she died in 2012 my life felt very bleak, Saturday had been the day I always spent with mum.  I started gardening and sorting out the veg plot at our house in Portswood and in 2015 I started inviting people over to see the garden and fundraising for the Alzheimer’s Society. ”   Around this time Katherine started a dementia action group to support people and their carers experiencing this awful disease.  Over the years Rev Erica Roberts (co-chair) and Katherine have organised meals at the Brewhouse and Kitchen, library reminiscence sessions, dementia friends information sessions and picnics on the Common.  During lockdown they held weekly soirees and produced a magazine called Together we Stand. The latest service is establishing a memory café in Bitterne Park, there are already memory cafes in Lordshill, Thornhill and Highfield so this will add to the venues across the City.  At the café there is a friendly face and a listening ear.  The Admiral nurses (specialist nurses to support carers of people living with dementia) will attend occasionally and give advice and guidance.  Refreshments will be served.  Games, conversation starters, reminiscence and speakers of interest will be served up from time to time.  This session is free of charge.  The volunteers are DBS checked, have had references taken up and received training about dementia.The first session is on Wednesday 13th October from 3pm to 4.30pm and sessions will be held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month at the Ascension Church Cafe, Thorold Road, SO18 1HZ.  All are welcome. For any questions about this service please contact Katherine on portswooddag@gmail.com 07763 863360 or caraway@caraway.uk.com

Click here to watch the recording of ‘Linking with dementia friendly activities in Southampton’

Southampton Dem Fest 2021

Thanks to everyone who took part or came along to the Dementia Festival 2021 and to Southampton Dementia Festival Committee for organising!

Linking with dementia friendly activities in Southampton

On 15 July 2021, as part of the dementia festival, SO:Linked hosted a ‘Linking with dementia friendly activities’ session, showcasing some of the activities available for people living with dementia and their carers. You can watch the recording by clicking on the link below.

Here are the organisations who took part you can click on the links to find out more about them in the directory or let them tell you about their activities in the recording below!

These groups all deliver a range of exciting projects and activities: from magazines aimed at people living with dementia, to a listening ear, reminiscence sessions to dance and singing groups, gatherings and afternoon teas, bereavement support, counselling,  gadgets to help people keep their independence whilst staying safe, fun and interactive activity sessions for people at day centres, and free, caring transport for medical and vaccine appointments, dementia friends sessions to equip you to understand more about dementia and to support people living with dementia. And loads more…

If you’d like help linking with the right activity for you or someone you care for, contact SO:Linked by email soccg.solinked@nhs.net or using our online form here Community Navigation – So:Linked (solinked.org.uk)


Click here to watch the recording of ‘Linking with dementia friendly activities in Southampton’

Preparing to visit a loved one in a care home

Visits to care homes have been restricted or not possible since the start of the pandemic, but now, care homes in England are opening up again for indoor visits, with similar guidance in Wales, too. We understand this may be daunting, and you may have questions about the safety and emotional aspects of a visit.

There are some things you can do to prepare when planning a visit, from reading up on the latest guidance, to considering what to wear or potential conversation topics, and our advice should help you do so.

Click here to find out more

#DAW2021: How will you take action?

Dementia Action Week is just around the corner – with only a couple of months to go! This year it will take place 17 – 23 May, and there will be lots of ways to get involved. Whether taking action individually, at work or as part of your local community, no action is too small!

Sign up for updates and order free posters and flyers to help spread the word!

“I’m always happy to give my time to people who need it.”

Nandini Balakumar is a Dementia Friends Champion with a passion for helping spread knowledge and respect for people in all walks of life. Here, she tells us about why she became a Champion, what respect means to her and why she loves helping others: “I just give some of my time and I can help spread knowledge and raise awareness.”

Hear more from Nandini

Join one of our epic treks

Help to bring us one step closer to a world without dementia by taking part in a 13 or 26 mile trek this summer. All our treks are taking place in breathtaking locations across the UK and have social distancing measures in place in line with current government guidelines.

Sign up here

Font Resize
Contrast
Accessibility by WAH