Alzheimer’s Society provides information on all forms of dementia and links to local dementia support groups. They provide support through a variety of groups and activities, including:

Activity groups

Memory cafés

Singing for the Brain ®

Groups for carers

There is also a Side by Side service that helps people with dementia to keep doing the things they love, or to try something new.  The service helps people to get out and about, doing an activity of their choice through the support of a volunteer. This can be anything from joining a local club, going to the football, going to a local café, or simply having a stroll in the park.

Find out more at the Alzheimer’s Society  website or look at their local support group section  to find support groups and activities in the Bristol area.

For more information call 0117 961 0693 (Bristol office) The service is open Monday to Friday between 9.00am – 2.00pm. There is an answerphone for outside office hours.

There is also a national helpline  0300 222 1122 (local rate call). The opening hours are as follows:

Monday to Wednesday 9.00am-8.00pm

Thursday and Friday 9.00am-5pm
Saturday to Sunday 10.00am-4.00pm

Email address: bristol@alzheimers.org.uk.

Activity Groups

Join us for a range of arts and crafts, reminiscence or board games in a friendly environment. Meet other people affected by dementia at one of our welcoming groups. Please note our Withywood Activity Group is arts and craft themed each month and led by the wonderful Bristol charity, Lighting Up: https://lightingup.org.uk/
 

Fishponds Activity Group
Beechwood Club, Beechwood Road Fishponds, Bristol, BS16 3TP
4^th Friday of every month, 2pm to 4pm
Cost: optional coin donation
Contact:  0117 961 0693
Email: claire.muscat@alzheimers.org.uk   
 

Withywood Lighting Up Art Group
Withywood Centre, Queens Road, Withywood, Bristol, BS13 8QA
3^rd Tuesday of every month, 10.30am to 12.30pm
Cost: Suggested donation £1 per person, per session
Contact:  0117 961 0693
Email: claire.muscat@alzheimers.org.uk  

Brislington Movements and Memories
St Luke’s Church Hall, Church Parade, Brislington, Bristol BS4 5LS
4^th Wednesday of every month, 2pm – 4pm
Cost: optional coin donation
Contact:  0117 961 0693
Email: claire.muscat@alzheimers.org.uk  
 

Memory Cafes
Anyone with concerns about their memory or that of another can attend to meet others in a safe and welcoming environment. Sessions are usually attended by a guest speaker to share information relating to a local service or special interest. Join us for tea, biscuits, and free information relating to dementia.

Fishponds Memory Cafe
Beechwood Club, Beechwood Road, Fishponds, Bristol, BS16 3TR
2^nd Friday of every month, 2pm - 4pm
Cost: optional coin donation
Contact:  0117 961 0693
Email: claire.muscat@alzheimers.org.uk   

Withywood Memory Cafe
Withywood Centre, Queens Road, Withywood, Bristol, BS13 8QA
2^nd Tuesday of every month, 10.30am - 12.30pm
Cost: optional coin donation
Contact:  0117 961 0693
Email: claire.muscat@alzheimers.org.uk

Website

Singing for the Brain®

Singing for the Brain® (SftB) is a service provided by Alzheimer's Society which uses singing to bring people together in a friendly and stimulating social environment.

Singing is not only an enjoyable activity, it can also provide a way for people with dementia, along with their carers, to express themselves and socialise with others in a fun and supportive group.
 

Withywood SftB
Withywood Centre, Queens Road, Withywood, Bristol, BS13 8QA
Every Tuesday (weekly), 2pm to 3.45pm
Suggested contribution: £1 (optional) 
Please make contact to register for a place
 

Fishponds SftB
Beechwood Club, Beechwood Road, Fishponds, Bristol, BS16 3TR
First, Third and Fifth Friday of each month, 2pm to 3.45pm
Suggested contribution: £1 (optional)
Please make contact to register for a place

Knowle West SftB
Bristol Community Links South, Langhill Ave, Bristol, BS4 1TN
Tuesday mornings, 10.30 to 12.15pm
Please make contact to register for a place. 
 

Westbury-on-Trym SftB
Saint Monica Trust, Main Hall, Cote Lane, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, BS9 3UN
Second and fourth Wednesday of each month, 10.30am – 12.15pm
Suggested contribution: £1 (optional)
Please make contact to register for a place
 

Virtual SftB (Zoom)
Join from the comfort of your own home with one click joining the session via email  
Wednesday afternoons at 3pm
Please make contact to register for this free group

To register for a place, please call the Bristol office on 0117 961 0693 or contact Hannah Newrick: hannah.newrick@alzheimers.org.uk

Singing for the Brain Website

This service provides information and advice regarding dementia care, health and social care, and legal and welfare rights. Enquirers speak with staff who are trained in providing information on all aspects of dementia. All calls are dealt with confidentially.

Contact: 0300 222 11 22 Monday to Friday 9.00am-5.00pm and Saturday to Sunday 10.00am-4.00pm.

Calls to this number are charged at the local rate from anywhere in the UK.

Dementia Carers Count offers a range of free services that give family carers the opportunity to understand more about dementia and to connect with others in a similar situation. We offer practical advice on the reality and challenges of being a carer.

Dementia UK hosts the Young Dementia Network which is a collaboration of people living with young onset, family and friends and professionals working in the field, you can find more information on the Network website here.  https://www.youngdementianetwork.org/

Click on the title above or click here for further information about the Long Ashton Memory Cafe.

Please click on the heading above to access the young onset section of the Dementia UK website which includes information about young onset dementia, resources, personal stories and a section for people to find support and services specific for young onset

Regular Support groups for close family, friends and carers of people with Dementia led by experienced facilitators. The groups are places to share concerns and experiences

South Bristol Carers Support Group

Withywood Centre – Geoff Cargill Room, Queens Road, Withywood, Bristol, BS13 8QA

Fourth Tuesday of the month

PLEASE CONTACT ON 0117 947 3120 IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND.

Central and East Bristol Carers Peer Support Group

Beechwood Club, Beechwood Road, Fishponds, Bristol, BS16 3TP

Second Wednesday of the month 2pm to 3.30pm (starting 14th August 2024)

PLEASE CONTACT ON 0117 947 5150 IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND & TO CHECK AVAILABILITY

( If the group is at capacity, you will be placed on a waiting list )

North Bristol Carers’ Peer Support Group

Ardagh Pavilion, off, Kellaway Avenue, Bristol BS6 7YL

Last Wednesday of each month 2.00-3.30pm

Please contact Bristol Dementia Wellbeing Service on 0117 9045150

Please note this is a closed group and can only be accessed by contacting the above number for details. Due to the high uptake of this group, you may be placed on a waiting list.

A supportive, listening ear and reassurance for people over 60. Free weekly 20 minute chat with a volunteer.

This service would benefit carers of people with dementia, especially if they are isolated.

Contact: 0117 929 7537

Their objective is to enable Bristol to become THE Dementia Friendly City of the UK.

They do this by using two main tools, “Dementia Friends” and “The Purple Angel Campaign”, to increase Dementia Awareness across the city.

They visit anybody, including businesses, schools, youth and children’s organisations (e.g. Scouts, Guides, Cubs, Brownies, Beavers and Rainbows), youth clubs, social clubs, community clubs, activity clubs, community organisations, other voluntary organisations, care agencies, other charities, faith groups, political groups, basically anyone prepared to listen and take part!

Sessions generally are an hour long and are free.

They also campaign on issues relevant to people with Dementia and their carers e.g. closure of public toilets and closure of public libraries,

Contact: Tony Hall 0117 968 1002

Bristol Dementia Action Alliance Website

Safe Places is a service to help people with communication difficulties stay safe when they are out and about.

The service includes access to police support 24 hours a day via the Safe Places telephone number. When someone joins Safe Places, they are given a unique reference number which gives them direct access to police support 24 hours a day, via the Safe Places telephone number, which has a direct link into the police control room.

For further information please click here.

The Blue Badge scheme helps you park nearer to your destination if you're disabled.

For applications and to check eligibility, please visit:

https://www.prep02.web.nonlive.bcc.eduservcloud.net/parking/disabled-parking-blue-badges

Bristol & Avon Chinese Women's Group provides a range of services for Chinese women and their families including a sitting service, translation and interpretation, and a drop-in day centre.

The attached flyer (click on the title link above) promotes their Healthy Lifestyle events that aim to reduce loneliness and isolation for older members of the Chinese community.

Bristol & Avon Chinese Women's Group Website

Contact: 0117 935 1462

Contact address: St Agnes Church, Thomas Street, St Pauls, Bristol, BS2 9LL

Supporting families, friends and carers mainly from black and minority ethnic (BME) backgrounds. Provides a range of culturally specific and supportive services for young people, adults and families across Bristol.

Contact: 0117 941 5303

Contact address: The Clifford Drummond Office, St Paul's Settlement, 74 - 80 City Road, St. Pauls, Bristol, BS2 8UH

Bristol Black Carers Website

A 24/7 helpline for people in a crisis. Mental health experts are available to speak to.

Contact: 0300 555 0334

Bristol Crisis Service Website

The Dementia Wellbeing Service is part of Bristol's recently recommissioned mental health services. You can read more about the new services, and Bristol CCG's vision for mental health service provison in the city by visiting the Bristol Mental Health website.

Please follow the link to view an interactive map which highlights all the public toilets in Bristol

https://www.bristol.gov.uk/streets-travel/public-toilet-map

Provide a weekly visit for up to six weeks after somebody has been discharged from hospital having had at least one night’s admission. Support is provided through home visits aimed at encouraging independence by providing shopping, light domestic work, signposting and companionship.

Contact: 0117 301 2601

Contact email: HfHBristolSouthGlos@redcross.org.uk.

Red Cross Website

This service provides support, information, and advice to families, friends and carers of any ages. This includes:

• Carers Line (Telephone support line)
• Carers Emergency Card (see Care Direct)
• One-to-one support and carers' groups
• Short breaks and carers' holidays
• Counselling service
• Support for young carers

Contact: 0117 965 2200

The service is open Monday to Thursday 10.00am -1.00pm and 2.00pm - 4.00pm. On Friday it operates between 10.00am-1.00pm. There is an answerphone for outside these hours.

Email: carersline@carerssupportcentre.org.uk

Website

Chinese Lantern Project

This project offers a free telephone helpline service to the Chinese community in the South West region. The aim of this helpline is to identify and empower isolated and hidden members of the community.

Contact: 0808 802 0012 Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm

Chinese Lantern Project Website

Supported by a network of volunteers, Contact the Elderly organises monthly Sunday afternoon tea parties for small groups of older people aged 75 and over, who live alone, offering a regular and vital friendship link every month. To find out more about becoming a volunteer host or a guest in the Bristol area, please go to - http://www.contact-the-elderly.org.uk/about-us/locations/south-west or contact Helen Ker - 01225 873812, helen.ker@contact-the-elderly.org.uk

Anyone can become a Dementia Friend. It's about having more understanding about dementia and the small things you can do to help. Being a Dementia Friend isn't about volunteering or fundraising (although you can do that if you'd like); it's about turning understanding into action. To become a Dementia Friend visit the website at: www.dementiafriends.org.uk.

Dementia Mentors is a website offering online support to people with dementia. The website offers online mentor sessions and virtual memory cafes. The mentors are all people who have a diagnosis themselves.

This service is part of the Bristol Dementia Wellbeing Service. Dementia Navigators provide a highly responsive, individualised information and signposting service to people with dementia, their immediate carers, families and friends.

You could participate in a clinical study or help shape the direction of services by taking part in research. You can get involved by:

• Attending discussion groups in your area – Regional or National research committees
• Developing patient and carer information leaflets
• Support a research project or advisory group as a member
• Become a champion for research
• Identify research that is important, relevant and beneficial to patients and carers
• Talk in groups with researchers to discuss their research proposal
• Write guidance for researchers on how to run patient and public involvement

Join Dementia Research is a national service which makes it easy for people to register their interest to take part in dementia research.

Contact: Alzheimer’s Research UK on 0300 111 5111

Contact: Alzheimer’s Society on 0300 222 1122

Join Dementia Research Website: https://www.joindementiaresearch.nihr.ac.uk/

A voluntary organisation promoting the health and social wellbeing of the South Asian community of Bristol and South Gloucestershire. Services include:

• Day care
• Sitting service
• Domicilliary care
• Respite care
• Older men's group

Contact:  0117 914 6671

First Stop Advice Service offer trained advisors to discuss any matters relating to housing, care or related finance. You can contact our advice service in any of the following ways:

Email: info@firststopcareadvice.org

Telephone: 0800 377 7070 (Mondays 8am – 7pm & Tuesdays – Fridays 8am – 6pm)

If ringing from a mobile or abroad: 0203 519 6002

Bristol CCG has created a handy service finder on its website enabling you to find your local health services. This contains a wide range of services relating to all elements of health.  The service finder includes GPs, pharmacists, your nearest Walk-in Centres, Urgent Care Centres and Emergency departments. All you need to search is your postcode.

Innovation that allows family and friends to easily collect great stories and photographs together in an online memory or life story book. Involve others and contribute at any time wherever you are. It's free to create a book online and there is a small charge to get the book printed.

Contact: 01225 891 778

Email: support@forgetmenotbook.com

Forget Me Not Website

Goldies (also known as Golden Oldies) are fun and friendly, monthly singing groups that run in various locations across Bristol. Please see the website for details on locations and times:

Goldies Singing Group Website

LinkAge Network is a Bristol-based charity which has been established since 2007, working to strengthen communities, improve health and wellbeing, and reduce social isolation and loneliness among older people. We deliver projects and inform over 55s about what’s on across the West of England.

Contact: 0117 353 3042

Website

What’s on Guide

Alzheimer's Society have updated their guides for both LGBT people living with dementia and for those supporting LGBT people with dementia.

If you are lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans and have dementia, these guides talk about the things you can do to remain independent, get the emotional and practical support that’s right for you, and plan for your future.

You may feel that lots of the information and advice you are given, or lots of the support available, isn’t right for you. You may have, or feel you have, different circumstances to heterosexual or cisgender people (someone whose gender identity is the same as the sex they were assigned at birth). This could be because of your experiences, your living arrangements, the support you receive and who you have around you.

Dementia is challenging for everyone, and everyone’s situation will affect what living with dementia is like for them. However, being LGBT and having dementia can present extra difficulties. It can also mean that living well with dementia means something different to you – something that you don’t hear talked about as much.

It’s important to know that you aren’t alone. Support and advice is available, there are services and care settings designed to support you, and the law protects your rights to equal treatment and privacy. By knowing your rights, finding the right support, and planning for your future, it is possible to live well with dementia.

Your local library also has information about services and support in your area.

Contact: 0117 903 7200 to locate your nearest library

Bristol Libraries Website

A group of artists working alongside people with dementia and their families/carers. Currently working at Alzheimer’s Society Activity Groups at the Withywood Centre.

Contact Alzheimer's Society: 0117 9610693

Email: info@lightingup.org.uk

Lighting Up Website

Love sport? Then come along to one of our friendly groups and share your sporting memories with other older sports fans!

We have FREE weekly groups across Bristol and South Gloucs.

To find out more, contact Chris at 07765 864484 or email admin@sportingmemoriesnetwork.com

• Through local volunteer-led groups they organise two community events, trips or treats a year, one at Christmas and one in the summer
• They provide support to their guests throughout the year through Marmalade Buddie

Linking people with dementia, their families, carers and volunteers with professional musicians. Each session is free and consists of a one hour performance by a professional musician; during which, people are encouraged to use a range of percussion and props.

When: Third Monday of each month

Where: St Peter's Church Hall, Allison Road, Brislington, BS4 4NZ

When: Third Wednesday of each month

Where: The Salvation Army Community Hall, Hassell Drive, Lawrence Hill, Bristol, BS2 0AW

Contact: 01823 323 752

Email: fiona@reminiscencelearning.co.uk

Cost: No charge, donations gladly received.

Parkinson's UK groups offer information, support and friendship for people with Parkinson's disease. On the first Saturday of each month, there is a group that meets at Oatley Hall at St Monica's Trust in Bristol. For more details, please go to https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/local-support-groups/regions/bristol-branch

Toilets with extra room and easier access for the use of disabled people.

To obtain your own key call the number below:

Contact: 0117 955 9083.

The Royal British Legion’s Independent Living Service covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland. They offer beneficiaries a high quality, friendly and professional service to live safe and well at home. In the Bristol area, the Independent Living Service comprises of two services; the Independent Living Advice Service and the ‘WE Care and Repair’ handy person service.

They offer support face to face, over the telephone and email to help beneficiaries work towards goals that are important to them.

This means they could help with:

• Specialist Information and Advice-About Independent Living Options

• Aids and Adaptations

• Assistance with Disabled Facilities Grants and Challenges

• Small maintenance jobs

• Home safety checks

• Winter warmth checks

• Help and support to navigate social services

• Help and support to challenge decisions

• Help to address isolation and loneliness

• Information on local services

• Setting up your own social groups

• Help to understand your rights and speak up

Who can use this Service?

A beneficiary is anybody who has served, is currently serving in the armed forces or are a carer, dependent, spouse or partner of someone who is serving or has served.

Contact Centre:

0808 802 8080- Open 8am-8pm- 7 days a week

Or visit one of their pop in centres:

http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-support/the-legion-near-you/

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme (RSVP) provides  volunteering opportunities that allow older people over 50 to play an active role in their communities.

Contact: 0117 922 4392

Contact address: RSVP West Region, The CREATE Centre, Smeaton Road, Bristol, BS1 6XN

RSVP Website

Second Step run wellbeing courses, activities and workshops which are open to service users under Bristol Mental Health and their carers, which includes our service. For up to date information including course dates please visit their website.