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Dementia & Cognitive Wellbeing
Assessment, community support and carer help for people affected by dementia in Blackpool.
What this programme does not do
Mwanga does not diagnose dementia and does not prescribe medication. A formal diagnosis is made by a memory clinic or a doctor.
What we do is identify early signs and possible indicators, carry out assessment of memory concerns and mental capacity, and make sure the person reaches the right service. Nothing we produce is a diagnosis, and we say so in writing.
Why this exists in Blackpool
Blackpool has higher rates of late dementia diagnosis than the national average. Deprivation, coastal isolation and limited awareness all play a part, and people often reach services long after the first signs appeared.
The Hub
The clinical part. Assessment of memory concerns, cognition, mental state, risk, daily functioning and mental capacity, led by a Registered Mental Health Nurse and Best Interests Assessor.
Memory & Soul Café
The community part. A weekly drop-in with no referral needed, for people living with dementia and the people who care for them.
The wider programme
The connecting part. Work with GPs, community venues, faith groups and local businesses to identify concerns earlier and make Blackpool easier to live in with dementia.
What an assessment involves
Assessment explores the nature, onset and impact of the difficulties someone is having not just whether they can remember a list of words.
- Memory concern assessment
- Cognitive screening using validated tools, including the MMSE, MoCA and ACE-III
- Mental state examination
- Risk assessment
- Review of daily living and functional ability
- Mental capacity assessment where a specific decision is in question
- Carer stress and support needs assessment
Every assessment produces a written report with recommendations and, where appropriate, referral to a GP, memory clinic, Admiral Nurses, social care or legal advice.
How it works
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Referral
From a GP, social care, a voluntary organisation, a solicitor, a family member, or a warm introduction from the Café.
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Initial contact
A conversation to understand the concern and check that assessment is the right step.
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Assessment
A structured appointment, unhurried, with a family member or carer present if the person wants that.
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Report
A written report setting out what was found and what should happen next, in language the family can read.
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Onward referral
Where a formal diagnosis or treatment is needed, referral to the service that can provide it and an offer of support while that is arranged.
Memory & Soul Café
A drop-in for people living with dementia, their carers, families and friends. No referral, no appointment, no assessment unless someone asks for one.
It exists because a great many people will never walk into a clinic but will come for a cup of tea and a singalong. Concerns often surface in conversation long before anyone would think to see a doctor.
Sessions run weekly, each with its own focus reminiscence and life story, music and movement, a carers’ group, creative arts, and an open drop-in with a guest speaker.
The Café is set up to be genuinely dementia-friendly: good lighting, clear signage, quiet areas alongside sociable ones, a consistent layout, and staff trained in dementia communication.
Dementia awareness and early signs education
Helping people understand dementia, memory changes, early warning signs, and when to seek help. Six sessions, delivered in the community.
Who it is for
Families, carers, older adults, community groups, churches, refugees, international nurses, care staff and vulnerable adults.
Our approach
- Culturally sensitive
- Practical and relatable
- Interactive and supportive
- Accessible for all
Early awareness, early help, better outcomes
If you are worried about memory problems, see your GP. You are not alone. Help is available and support makes a difference.
What the sessions cover
- Session one What is dementia? The difference between normal ageing, delirium, depression and dementia.
- Session two Early signs: memory loss, confusion, language problems and changes in behaviour.
- Session three When to contact a GP or memory clinic.
- Session four Reducing stigma and supporting people with dignity.
- Session five Family communication and cultural understanding.
- Session six Local support, benefits, carers support and safeguarding.
The NHS advises that anyone worried about memory problems should see a GP, because a diagnosis gives people and their families the best chance to prepare and access support. The Alzheimer’s Society publishes symptom checklists to help describe concerns to a GP, and states clearly that these are not diagnostic tools.
Living well with dementia
Support after a diagnosis, or while waiting for assessment. Helping people stay safe, keep their independence and maintain dignity.
- Routine Daily structure, prompts, calendars and memory aids.
- Emotional wellbeing Anxiety reduction, reassurance, grounding and safe conversation.
- Cognitive stimulation Gentle reminiscence, music, simple activities and social connection.
- Physical wellbeing Walking, hydration, nutrition and sleep routine.
- Safety Home safety checklist, falls and medication prompts.
- Family support Communication strategies and understanding changes in behaviour.
- Planning ahead Lasting power of attorney signposting, benefits and advance care planning.
Maintain independence
Support that keeps people doing what they can, for as long as they can.
Promote wellbeing
Person-centred support and practical strategies for everyday life.
Support families and carers
Practical guidance for the people doing the caring.
NICE dementia guidance includes support for people living with dementia and for carers, covering independence, wellbeing and person-centred support.
For carers
Carers are often the people holding everything together and the last to ask for anything. The programme treats carer support as part of the work, not an afterthought.
A group of your own
A carers’ peer support session that runs while the person you care for takes part in their own activity.
Carer stress assessment
A structured look at how you are actually coping, using the Carer Strain Index, with a written support plan.
Practical help
Information on respite, benefits, and legal planning such as lasting power of attorney, with signposting to services that can act on it.
Training for organisations
We deliver dementia training for care providers, community organisations and local businesses from short awareness sessions through to practitioner-level training and Mental Capacity Act training for care teams.
Common questions
Will I get a dementia diagnosis from Mwanga?
No. We do not diagnose dementia. We assess memory concerns and cognition, and where the picture suggests it, we refer you to the service that can diagnose.
Do I need a GP referral?
Not for the Café anyone can come. For an assessment, referrals come from GPs, social care, voluntary organisations, solicitors and families, and we will discuss the right route when you contact us.
Does it cost anything?
It depends on the programme element and the referral route. Some may be accessible through funded pathways where those arrangements exist locally. Contact us and we will be straight with you about what applies.
Can I bring the person I care for?
Yes. The Café is for both of you, and there are sessions where you can have time separately if that helps.