People living with dementia across Southampton and Hampshire will soon benefit from a new support service to help individuals maintain their cognitive abilities, improve overall wellbeing, and stay socially connected for longer.
At the heart of the service, which launches in July, is Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST), a well-established, evidence-based group programme. CST is the only non-drug treatment recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for people with mild to moderate dementia and has been shown to improve memory, communication, and quality of life.
The programme will offer small, supportive, hour-long group sessions delivered over 14 weeks in community venues across Southampton and Hampshire. Sessions will be led by trained facilitators and run throughout the year, with a mix of daytime and some weekend options to improve accessibility for individuals, their families, loved ones and carers.
The service will be delivered by Solent Mind in collaboration with Havant & East Hampshire Mind and is funded by NHS Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Ian Stiff, Chief Operating Officer at Solent Mind on behalf of the three Minds, said: “CST can make a real difference to people living with dementia, helping them remain engaged, connected and confident for longer. We’re proud to be working to provide this vital support to more people across Southampton and Hampshire.”
Stephen Trembath, Deputy Director for Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and Autism at NHS Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, said: “This new service strengthens dementia care across Southampton and Hampshire by offering consistent access to an evidence-based intervention recommended by NICE. Working in partnership with our trusted voluntary sector helps ensure people receive the right support at the right time, close to home.”
Further details about how to access the service, including course locations and start dates, will be available in July.
