Dementia Coordination Service
Our Dementia Coordination Service supports people, families and carers living with dementia by providing personalised advice and signposting to dementia support services in the community.
This support is always delivered with care and compassion, recognising the significant impact a new diagnosis of dementia can have on an individual and their families.
Support may include:
• Emotional support and guidance for you and your family.
• Support to maintain independence, improving your sense of wellbeing and enabling you to feel more in control of your life.
• 10 minute awareness sessions on simple strategies to support you and your family/carers, which will include language, reminiscence, and musical memories.
• Support on Lasting Power of Attorney.
• Benefits e.g. Attendance Allowance
• Driving licence and blue badge information.
• Social services signposting.
• Community services signposting.
• Community alarm information.
How do I access this service?
Following a diagnosis of dementia, it is likely that your healthcare professional will refer you to the Dementia Coordination Service. You can also refer yourself if you wish using the contact details to the left of this page.
Upon receipt of your referral, the team will call you directly to offer our support and arrange a face-to-face visit. This could be in the comfort of your own home, or somewhere you might like to go for a coffee. During our first visit, we would like to find out a little more about you and what matters most to you.
If complex or ongoing medical needs are identified, the team will work closely with the Primary Care teams across Surrey Downs. Together, with the health and social care professionals that know you best, we will discuss, agree, and plan the types of care and support that would be right for you, based on your needs.
Who is eligible?
Dementia carers and patients can obtain support through this service. To be referred into the service, patients should:
• Be registered to a GP practice within Surrey Downs.
• Be over 18 years of age.
• Have had a clinical diagnosis of dementia within 6 months of referral.
If you received a dementia diagnosis over 6 months ago, you can still contact the Surrey Downs Single Point of Access (SPA) team for support.
Memory Cafes
As well as home visits, the team host regular Memory Cafes across Surrey Downs to provide a safe and supportive space for families to meet, seek advice on many matters relating to living with dementia and socialise with people in similar circumstances.
Watch this short film to see our Memory Cafes in action and hear from regular attendees at the Cafes
Memory Cafes are open to all, do not require booking and are held regularly in different venues each month:
Belvedere Care Home, Banstead
1st Friday of each month
Priory Court Care Home, Ewell Village
1st Wednesday of each month
Hartfield House, Leatherhead
2nd Wednesday of each month
Silvermere and Dorking Manor opening September 2025
Meet the team
Our Dementia Coordination service team is made up of Sue Cook, Service Lead and Jenny Gale Service Coordinator and a small group of volunteers who kindly help run the Memory Cafes. Sue and Jenny are on hand to offer friendly, personalised support at a time when patients and their carers may feel overwhelmed by a recent dementia diagnosis, or need some support on where to turn next.
Further Support
In addition to the support provided by the Dementia Coordination Team, details about local support groups and voluntary organisations that support people with dementia, their carers and their families, can be found online by searching for “dementia support” at www.connecttosupportsurrey.org.uk.
Further information and advice are also available from several national organisations, including the Alzheimer’s Society, Dementia UK and Dementia Carers Count.