Touchstone’s BME (Black and Minority Ethnic) Dementia Service provides specialist support to people living with memory problems or a diagnosis of dementia and their carers from ethnic minorities. Our aim is to raise awareness of dementia within BME communities by breaking down the barriers that exist about dementia and bringing it out into the open so that people can access the support they need while meeting their language, cultural and religious needs.
We provide culturally appropriate Dementia awareness talks within community settings such as Day centres, local community groups or religious centres. The talks are tailored to the needs of the group and can be delivered in English, Punjabi, Hindi or Urdu languages.
We also run two weekly groups in a mother tongue.
A Carers walking group at Roundhay Park every Monday from 1.30 pm - 3pm. This is for Carers who are
looking after someone living with memory problems or a dementia diagnosis from the South Asian community, join our walking group for physical & mental wellbeing and lots of laughs.
South Asian Dementia Café, Hamari Yaadain (Our Memories) Every Thursday from 1 pm- 3 pm. The café is for South Asian people with memory issues and their carers and runs in a mother tongue · It’s a safe space where you can get out and about to meet others, make friends and enjoy hot drinks and snacks. Transport can be requested for a minimal charge if you have limited mobility.
We provide person-centered care by doing needs-based assessments on a one-to-one basis. We can also provide support if you are having memory problems and is struggling to get a diagnosis.
Since 2013, when we founded the BME Dementia Forum, we have led a group of BME dementia workers in Leeds to improve services for people with dementia and their carers, specifically for people from BME communities. If you would like to find out more about our Forum, please get in touch with us.
