Over 200 people packed Canterbury Christ Church University's Laud Centre this week to hear from speakers from around the world at the inaugural Dementia Services Development Centre – South East International Dementia Conference.
After signing a 3 year agreement last year, Avante Partnership, along with Canterbury Christ Church University and Dementia UK jointly organised and hosted the conference which has been hailed a tremendous success.
The conference provided Dementia UK the perfect opportunity to launch their Admiral Nurse Academy website and John Suchet, Dementia UK's Honorary President, launched his latest 'My Bonnie', a moving account of his experience of dementia and how it 'stole the love of his life', his wife Bonnie.
Amongst the many conference highlights, the presence of Dr Bill Thomas, founder of the Eden Alternative on which Avante Care and Support has based its Philosophy of Care had the greatest impact. Avante, helped by the financial support of a number of its business partners was able to bring the US based Dr Thomas to the UK and in addition to his keynote speech and running two conference workshops, Dr Thomas held a special workshop for Avante's managers and staff.
The two day conference attracted the attention of the national press and was reported on BBC South East.
Cedric Frederick, Avante Partnership's Chief Executive who chaired day 1 of the conference said 'Our involvement in the Dementia Services Development Centre is proving to be a fantastic opportunity for our organisation to make a major contribution to the development of thinking and practice in the field of dementia. This conference is the first of many exciting events we intend to run and be part of in the future. The opportunity for our staff to spend time with Dr Bill Thomas and hear him speak about The Eden Alternative was fantastic and our staff were left inspired and energised'.
Avante Partnership would like to thank Sagittarius Marketing, Unique Training Solutions, Lawson Queay, Castleoak, Network Resource Group and Capita for their generous support that enabled us to bring Dr Bill Thomas to the International Conference.
To view the International Dementia Conference programme, please click HERE
To view photos of the conference, please click HERE
For more information contact Karen Flynn on 01795 597400 or email kflynn@avantepartnership.org.uk
