Shaftesbury has been funded by NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Suffolk County Council to provide support for people with memory concerns and dementia and for those caring for family or friends in Suffolk for 5 years. Operated from our base in Stowmarket, the Shaftesbury Suffolk – Memory and Dementia Support provides practical information and support for people who have memory concerns or a diagnosis of dementia and their carers.
Suffolk County Council has identified Suffolk as the fastest-ageing county in the country. In December 2024, there were an estimated 10,800 people living with dementia in Suffolk, a figure predicted to increase to 23,000 by 2040 according to a report by Healthy Suffolk.
The new service has been designed in response to the Healthwatch Suffolk Dementia Report ‘A roundabout without signposts’ and the Suffolk Dementia Strategy 2024-2029 . It is aimed at empowering people concerned with their memory or diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment or dementia to live as independently, safely and well for as long as possible in the community.
Jane Percy, Executive Director for Care Operations at Shaftesbury, said:
“With 28 years experience of operating in Suffolk we are well positioned to deliver a truly locally focused service. We are delighted to have been chosen to deliver this contract which will see us taking a local approach, providing essential guidance and support to people across Suffolk who have dementia or memory worries, as well as their carers. We are committed to working together with partners and local communities across Suffolk to achieve this.”
The five-year contract, with an optional two-year extension, is being funded by NHS Suffolk and North East Essex ICB and Suffolk County Council.
Chris Baguley, Transformation Programme Manager for Mental Health and Dementia, NHS Suffolk and North East Essex ICB, said:
“This service will offer individuals and their carers timely, bespoke and compassionate support to help them live well with dementia from pre- and post-diagnosis to the end of their lives.
Carers and the wider family will be supported to improve their own health and emotional wellbeing. They will be equipped with the tools and practical strategies required for their caring role.
We will also work towards making Suffolk a dementia friendly county, improve public awareness of dementia symptoms and influence the continuation and further development of community support for people with dementia and their carers.
The service will also aim to increase awareness that lifestyle changes, such as socialising and remaining physically and mentally active, can prevent or delay the onset of dementia and reduce the progression of the symptoms.”