Empowered Conversations is set to bring hearts and minds together at its first conference to improve relationships and communication in dementia
The Empowered Conversations team is on countdown to launching its first ever conference to bring people living with dementia, carers and professionals together under one roof to share innovations on improving communications and relationships.
The free conference titled Relationships and Communication in Dementia is the first of its kind to be hosted in Greater Manchester and will be held on Thursday, March 19 at the Friends’ Meeting House, Mount Street, Manchester city centre.
Leaders in research, health and social care will be exploring the transformative role relationships and communication play in enabling people with dementia to live the life they want for longer, alongside hearing from those who are living with the disease and those who care for people with dementia, on their experiences to help shape future training, services and support.
Emma Smith, project manager for Empowered Conversations, which is part of Six Degrees social enterprise, said: “In the spirit of the Empowered Conversations approach to communication, the event will be a space to build relationships, connect with others and develop a shared understanding of how we can improve outcomes for people with dementia. We are proud to be bringing this level of expertise together – from those living with the disease, carers and professionals.
“Communicating with friends, family and colleagues is a fundamental part of our lives and can change dramatically following a diagnosis of dementia. This is the first of what is going to be an annual event for Empowered Conversations, and we will be delighted for you to join us.
“If you’ve got the heart to care and the belief that things can improve for people with dementia, then this conference is for you.”
Speakers will include Natalie Yates-Bolton, international lead for the School of Health and Society at the University of Salford; research professor Alison Wray from Cardiff University; specialist psychotherapist Dr Esther Ramsay-Jones; Karen Dawber, Chief Nurse at Bradford Teaching Hospital; dementia campaigner Dr Joy Watson from Age UK Salford; and Dr Phil McEvoy, managing director of Six Degrees, which developed Empowered Conversations.
Workshops are also being held at the conference including how to communication beyond words, through music and movement and support for couples.
To book on to the free conference and to read more about the workshops click here.
