National Dementia Carers Day 2015 – 14th September World Alzheimer’s Day 2015 – 21st September Dementia is an increasingly common illness, affecting hundreds of thousands of individuals in the UK, and directly impacting on the lives of many others. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, affecting 62% of those diagnosed with the illness.
Category: Behaviours that Challenge
2 Incredible Volunteers: the Reward of Helping Others
Volunteering is increasingly common in the UK. Last year, we wrote about Tia, who volunteered with charitable organisation, Home-Start. This year, in honour of Volunteers Awareness Week, (1st -7th June), we’ve spoken to two volunteers in Wales, who share their stories about helping in their local community. Daniel is a student of English Literature and
Time to Talk: Why it's Time to Change the way we talk about Mental Health
Time to Talk, February 5th 2015 Living with a mental health condition can be hugely challenging, especially when it comes to the loneliness and isolation that stems from feeling unable to discuss our problems. But mental illnesses are increasingly common in modern society, with 1 in 4 of us experiencing some form of mental health
When Work Life gets Tough: Conflict at Work

Have you ever experienced conflict at work? At Steps Training Ltd, we believe that uncomfortable situations can be diffused with minimal effort using appropriate conflict management skills including reporting & recording. In this blog post, we’re asking individuals about their experiences of conflict and aggression in the workplace. Mike, 43, Chef, Violence Years ago, Mike
Learning Difficulties and the Importance of Understanding the Individual
Down Syndrome effects roughly 1 in every 1000 babies born in the UK. It is a condition caused by the presence of an extra chromosome in a baby’s cells. Despite popular belief, Down Syndrome is not an illness or a disease – individuals living with the condition are not ‘sufferers’ or ‘patients.’ Here, in honour
10 Personality Disorders: a Breakdown

THE TERM ‘PERSONALITY DISORDER‘ IS USED TO REFER TO PEOPLE WITH AN EXTREMELY BROAD RANGE OF EXPERIENCES, DIFFICULTIES AND BEHAVIOURS. MANY PEOPLE GIVEN THE SAME DIAGNOSIS WILL HAVE VERY DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES. IT IS ALSO COMMON FOR PEOPLE TO BE GIVEN A DIAGNOSIS OF MORE THAN ONE PERSONALITY DISORDER. Some symptoms are commonly recognised across the
Preserving Dignity in Care through Creativity
Loss of dignity and individuality are often associated with the ageing process, particularly in relation to individuals suffering from dementia. Below, case worker Fiona Finn, discusses her experience of assisting individuals living with dementia. Loss of dignity is a phrase often used in relation to getting older – the reduction of independence, the need for