Support Groups

Dementia Support Sessions & Group Training

We have a range of specific training and education sessions provided by the charity and other dementia service providers to ensure the latest dementia knowledge and experience is shared.

To find out more about our Dementia Supporter Awareness Training sessions, please click here. These 45-minute sessions are an opportunity for the public, community groups and businesses to gain awareness, compassion and an understanding of dementia.

Understanding Dementia Pre-diagnosis

Support in Crawley

Waiting for a dementia diagnosis can be a difficult and stressful time for everyone involved. That’s why the dementia Wayfinders from Sage House are coming to Crawley to help support families pre-diagnosis.

This hour-long session separates fact from fiction and discussed a pro-active approach to living well with symptoms of dementia. The upcoming dates, times and venues are:

Thursday 25th April

11am - 12pm Broadfield Community Centre

2:30pm - 3:30pm Crawley Museum

Friday 26th April

1pm - 2pm Ifield West Community Centre

4pm - 5pm Maidenbower Community Centre

Book Your Session

Ex-Services Support Group

Join our welcoming and inclusive group at Sage House!

If you have served in the armed forces and would like to connect with like-minded people, please come along to our new group.

Upcoming dates:

Tuesday 14th May, 2pm – 3pm
Tuesday 11th June, 2pm – 3pm
Tuesday 9th July, 2pm – 3pm
Tuesday 13th August, 2pm – 3pm
Tuesday 10th September, 2pm – 3pm
Tuesday 8th October, 2pm – 3pm
Tuesday 12th November, 2pm – 3pm
Tuesday 10th December, 2pm – 3pm

Book your place below or call Sage House on 01243 888691. The group is free of charge, however, we welcome donations to Dementia Support.

Support Groups For People Living with Dementia:

Young Onset Support Group

Join our new and casual breakfast club for under 65-year-olds with dementia.

These drop-in sessions will include informal discussions, valuable information and peer support, to help you feel comfortable and well supported on your journey.

These sessions run every third Tuesday 8:30am - 10am. The next dates are: 16th April, 7th May

No need to book, just drop in to Sage House, City Fields Way, Tangmere, PO20 2FP.

Sage Minds: CST

A new cognitive stimulation therapy course by Sage House. Sage Minds is designed for people with mild or emerging symptoms of dementia.

Cognitive mental activity can lead to new learning, build self confidence and increase cognitive function for a person living with early stages of dementia.

The full course costs £60 (includes all 8 sessions.) Bookings are essential, following a pre-course appointment.

We are currently recruiting participants for the next Sage Minds courses, starting on Thursday 16th May and Thursday 26th September 2024.

Course themes:

Sound & Vision
Early Years Reminiscence
Creativity with Nature
Digital Familiarisation

Currency and Money Values
Travel & Holidays
Current Affairs Discussion
Team Games & Quiz

To Book

Please call Sage House on 01243 888691 to arrange a pre course application appointment or email info@dementiasupport.org.uk.

Empowering People Living with Dementia

Sessions for people living with the early stages of dementia

This four week informational course (1.5hrs per week) includes:

Navigating the NHS
Understanding Dementia
Legal, Financial and General Information
Planning Ahead
Staying Connected With Others
Tips for Making Day-to-day Tasks Easier
Adapting to Life With Dementia; Wellbeing Techniques and Goal Setting.

The dates of the next Empowering People Living with Dementia courses are: Wednesday 5th June, Wednesday 12th June, Wednesday 19th June and Wednesday 26th June (10 - 11:30am). You can download the flyer here.

To book a place please contact us on: 01243 888 691 or email: info@dementiasupport.org.uk

Support Groups For Carers Of People Living With Dementia:

A Holistic Approach to Dementia

An informative and relaxed holistic session in the beautiful forest setting of the Goodwood Education Trust

Tips and ideas on how to keep a person with dementia hydrated
Encouraging healthy eating
The importance of environment both at home and outdoors
The benefits of sensory stimulation
Relaxing time in nature

The Holistic Approach to Dementia session is free of charge courtesy of the Goodwood Education Trust, however we welcome donations in aid of Sage House.

The next dates for the Holisic Approach to Dementia Carers Workshop are: Friday 21st June & Friday 27th September, 2 - 4pm.

Empowering Carers Course

Empowering Carers and Families

A three week informational dementia carers course (2hrs per week) in response to carers need for information. The course content includes:

Advice and support for carers who are family/friends
A chance to enhance knowledge of dementia
Practical tips and strategies for managing dementia
An insight into what it is like for people living with dementia symptoms
An opportunity for discussion about being a dementia carer
Exploring different ways of getting dementia support and maintaining health and wellbeing
A chance to meet the dementia support professionals and ask questions

The dates of the Empowering Carers courses are: Monday 15th April, Monday 22nd April and Monday 29th April, 10am - 12pm. You can download the flyer here.

To book a place, please contact us on: 01243 888 691 or email: info@dementiasupport.org.uk

Carers Support Group

Carers Support runs dementia support groups for carers at Sage House; come along to this friendly group for support, information and to meet other dementia carers.

Held on the 1st Thursday of every month, 10.30am – 12 noon, at Sage House.

For further details and booking link please click here or contact Carers Support by phone: 0300 028 8888 or email: info@carerssupport.org.uk

Grief Cafe

Informal and supportive group sessions held here at Sage House to help you on your journey to healing. These two-hour sessions are held once a month over a three month period. Each session will cover each of these topics:

Guilt & Grief
Memories & Moving Forward
I'm (Not) Fine & Self Care

In these sessions you will have the opportunity to:

Receive specific tailored guidance for your grief journey
Speak without judgement in confidence
Gain an understanding of healing and wellbeing

Places are allocated by our Wayfinding team and limited to 10 people per session and many of our groups continue their monthly meetings independently once the course has finished. If this is something you are interested in, please contact our Wayfinding team on 01243 888691 or email info@dementiasupport.org.uk

Other Groups

Outreach Sessions - Dementia Support In The Community

Drop into our friendly local sessions for people living with dementia, their carers and those seeking social companionship.

These sessions include well-being activities such as singing, creative activities, chair based exercise and chatting over refreshments. Pop in, make some new friends and chat to our Wayfinders. To view our list of locations and upcoming sessions please click here.

Mindfulness

Led by volunteer Paul, our weekly mindfulness activity is perfect for beginners.

Join us every Friday to relax and unwind. Bringing focus to the present moment can relieve anxiety and stress, lift mood, and increase your sense of well-being. Click here to see upcoming sessions and book your place.