As a member of my local DEEP group reader, I cannot emphasise how important these groups are to people with a diagnosis of Dementia and their families.

This vacancy provides an exciting opportunity to make a difference.

Development Facilitator for DEEP groups in Shropshire

• Twelve-month contract
• Self-employment status (you will need to pay your own tax and
national insurance)
• £400 per month (no overtime funding available)
• Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed and a contribution to
telephone costs
• Flexible working, approximately four days a month
• Working from home
• Will require countywide travel
• Taking part in relevant National DEEP Gatherings opportunities as
required (additional funding will be available for travel and
accommodation to attend these).

Purpose of the project

This project is funded by a DEEP Working Together Grant from Innovations in
Dementia CiC.
The main purpose of the grant, and your role, will be to:
• Establish ten new DEEP groups for people living with dementia across
Shropshire (in addition to the current groups) • To facilitate, provide support as required in consultation with the
project leader and group members • To establish a county-wide network • At least 150 people living with dementia to attend DEEP groups.

Background

The Dementia Engagement and Empowerment Project – ‘DEEP’ is hosted by
Innovations in Dementia, a small Community Interest Company. DEEP is
NOT an Organisation – it is a network of independent peer support and
influencing groups across the UK.
DEEP aims to give a voice to people living with dementia, to enable people
to remain socially engaged, to combat the fear and stigma associated with
dementia, and to provide peer support and influencing opportunities.
People living with dementia progress through stages from before diagnosis
through to end of life, and this journey may last (and often does) for many
years. At different stages people will want different types and levels of
support in order to live as they choose, and with independence.
DEEP groups provide social interaction, peer support and opportunities to
have a voice of influence for those in early to middle stages of living with
dementia. Age is irrelevant; what matters is that people can relax with people
they come to know and trust, where they have a voice that will be heard.
Many group members prefer not to have caregivers present, so that
members have time away from them, and to make sure they have their
independence for a while. This therefore also presents a respite opportunity
for caregivers and the people in the group.
DEEP groups meet regularly and informally. They are run by people with
dementia FOR people with dementia, although a group may choose to invite
family caregivers and others to attend as well. The way a group works and
attends should be decided by the group and may well be different for each
group.
There are usually no or limited cost involved as groups meet within their
usual communities, such as in cafes or pubs, other than for members’ own
refreshments. Sometimes groups choose to visit places together, either just
for fun and mutual support, or for a definite purpose, such as assessing how
dementia friendly a place is.
WE may be able to consider funding if transport is one of the factors for or
against people being able to attend.
Members may also become involved in influencing care and health provision
in their communities and speaking at conferences and training events where
expenses and or Thank-you payments may be available.

Shropshire

There are currently two main DEEP groups in Shropshire, in Shrewsbury and
Oswestry, with an embryo group in Whitchurch. These have been meeting for
over a year.
Finding people living with dementia to come to these groups has been slow.
This may be due to lack of understanding of the groups, reluctance to sit
down with others with dementia, lack of explanation and promotion by
health and care providers, or simply lack of public awareness and
knowledge.
However, members of both groups have begun to be engaged with
healthcare providers, and have spoken at events and meetings. And these
people want to do more and get change to happen.
Shropshire does not have good health and care services to support people
living with dementia to live well and as they choose. Dementia cafes tend to
attract people further on in their dementia journey, and often involve
organised activities which many earlier on do not enjoy.
There are pilot projects providing a Dementia Navigator (“companion”) in
Oswestry and Ludlow, and these are currently being evaluated. There is a
crisis service provided by the Mental Health Trust, as is the Memory Service,
which maintains periodic contact with people with a diagnosis.
DEEP groups provide an informal social opportunity to meet others of any
age or background, who are at roughly similar stages in their dementia
journey. They build confidence and allow members to say things they may
feel unable to say elsewhere, to share experiences and ideas, and to support
each other. Great friendships are made at a time when other friends may be
becoming more distant and harder to meet. This relationship that grows
becomes a fundamental confidence boost for people to stand up and talk
about their views and their rights.

Detail

This project will provide the opportunity to expand the DEEP network across
Shropshire. We believe that every market town should have a DEEP group.
Around 1.25% of the population live with dementia (including undiagnosed)
so most market towns have at least 100 people at some stage of dementia.
Across Shropshire, as a whole, it is estimated that there are 3,500 people
living with dementia, of whom probably 1,500 live in care homes.

We therefore want to establish DEEP groups in:
• Ludlow
• Craven Arms
• Bishops Castle • Church Stretton • Bridgnorth • Market Drayton • Whitchurch
• Cleobury Mortimer
• Wem
• Ellesmere • Much Wenlock.

You will:

• Initiate and facilitate at least ten new peer support and influencing
groups known as DEEP groups in market towns across Shropshire
• Establish relationships with health and care providers and
commissioners and inform them about what DEEP groups are and their
value and importance
• Be aware and potential current and future funding potential for DEEP
Shropshire
• Make local contacts in market towns and create local influence to
support development of DEEP groups
• Use all available social and other media, and more traditional methods,
to publicise DEEP groups
• Maintain a database of contacts and use email and other methods to
maintain contact with potential and actual DEEP members
• Call meetings and provide regular contact and reminders for people
living with dementia
• Attend DEEP group meetings at least initially and explain how they
work, and ensure that the members run their groups as they all choose
• Maintain records of contacts and attendance and write a report at the
end of the project about what has been achieved, and describe the
learning from the project

• Make phone calls and use email and other communication to keep
DEEP members in touch and aware of meeting dates and venues,
including reminders

Management and supervision

You will be managed and supervised by George Rook, the project lead. In
the unlikely event of difficulties support towards resolution will be sought
from The National DEEP Co-Ordinator Rachel Niblock at Innovations in
Dementia.
You will provide (at least) monthly updates to the project lead and will work
closely with him to plan and monitor progress.

Financial

The contract will be for twelve months for the sum of £4,800 paid monthly in
equal amounts.
Payments will be made at the end of the month.
The post holder will be responsible for their own tax, national insurance and
pension contribution arrangements.
Travel expenses will be paid at 45 pence per mile, and you will be expected
to minimise car journeys by planning visits and meetings carefully.

Safeguarding

You will be required to complete a satisfactory DBS check (or provide online
evidence thereof) before taking up the role, as they will be working with
vulnerable people.
Two references from current and previous employers or contracting
organisations will be required. In the event of this being impossible
alternatives will be discussed.

Notice

This contract will cease after twelve months, without further notice.
We would like to consider how the role may be funded after this twelve
month period.

Use of Equipment

You will be expected to provide your own telephone and IT equipment. Costs
directly related to this equipment will be reimbursed, for example paper and
ink.
If you cannot provide essential equipment the Project Lead will make
appropriate arrangements and provide what is necessary to carry out the
role.

Person Specification

Applicants should meet some or all of the following criteria, and should
demonstrate this in their application letter. Please use specific examples to
illustrate these criteria.
Essential (e)
Desirable (d)
Technical Requirements
Experience of working in or with the voluntary sector (d)
Understanding of dementia and its effects (d)
Skills for networking with professionals and non-professionals (e)
Able to use IT as needed for remote working, social media, word processing,
simple databases, email (e)

Personal Requirements

Good emotional intelligence and behavioural skills (e)

Able to work on their own initiative to meet objectives (e)
Determination to persevere and overcome disappointment (e)
Able to work flexibly as the job reasonably requires (e)
Able to travel independently around the county of Shropshire (e)
Listening and communication skills, tolerance and patience (e)
…………………………………………..

Applications

Please apply in writing, in no more than 1,000 words, along with the names
and addresses of two referees, explaining why you want to do this work, and
how your experience and skills fit the requirements.
Application letters should be sent to:
George Rook
Lyneal Mill Farm,
Lyneal
Ellesmere
Shropshire
SY12 0LE
It is hoped that the successful applicant will start work no later than January
1st 2019.
If you would like to discuss this contract please call George Rook on:
01948710456
07976189641
Or email georgerook51@gmail.com

Closing date for receipt of applications is Monday November 12th.