Royal visit for conference delegate

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How care is managed and caring in a changing and ageing world is one of the world’s greatest challenges, touching everyone’s lives – issues around this were explored at the 5th international carers conference in Leeds in July 2010.

The conference, organised by the University of Leeds and Carers UK, brought together the international community of researchers, practitioners and those with an interest in caring to debate critical issues and exchange expertise and experience. Mapping the policy framework from around the world, the conference explored innovation and sought out real solutions to the care challenge.

The conference focused on four key themes:

  • Health, social care and wellbeing services
  • Caring and employment
  • Funding and financial and legal support
  • Technology, design and the built environment

One of the Trust’s Admiral Nurses Kath Tearne represented the Trust at the Dementia UK exhibition stand together with Uniting Carers member Jean Tottie. The event was a valuable opportunity to network with people from all parts of the world and the UK, not only about the work of Dementia UK, but also the work that the Trust has undertaken in developing the role of Admiral Nurses, in conjunction with the council and NHS Kirklees.

The conference was a valuable opportunity to promote the Trust as a whole and it’s commitment to older peoples’ services. There was much interest shown in the charity and people wanted to know more about the role of an Admiral Nurse. One delegate who was particularly interested was Princess Anne, who is president of the Princess Royal Trust for Carers.

Princess Anne spent time discussing with Kath and Jean the plight of carers and how Admiral Nursing supports carers of people living with dementia. She showed a good level of awareness about the project and was very supportive of the work that is taking place.

Kath also had the opportunity as an exhibitor to attend information sessions and workshops which offered new view points of the world of a carer, as well as sharing her expertise during an interview for Carers’ World Radio.

Speaking about the conference Kath said, "Being able to attend the conference and view the exhibition stands was a benefit to my role as lead for the Admiral Nurses as I was able to link with several other organisations such as Tena, Age Concern and the Stroke Association. I came away with a lot of useful information which I can pass onto carers that I visit and colleagues."

Royal visit for conference delegate

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