Who are BME people?

The term ‘BME’ communities refer to groups of people who may be distinct because of their skin colour, race, language, culture or religion. Many people from BME communities are disadvantaged and often face discrimination due to their distinct nature.

45% of the total BME population in the UK lives in London. Examples of BME groups include: Black Africans and Caribbeans, Asians, Gypsies and Travelers, Refugees and Asylum Seekers, Mixed Race People and Eastern Europeans.

Access to services by BME communities:

Like everyone else, members of BME communities have a right to timely and appropriate health and social care services. However people from BME communities may face difficulties in accessing services due to barriers such as:

Language problems — English is not a first language for most BME people. Please ask GPs for an interpreter if you, or a loved one, are unable to communicate well in English.

Stigma — Most people fail to talk about mental health problems because they fear being misunderstood. It is important to remember that health problems will often get worse when we fail to address them. With regards to Dementia, it is important to support family members or friends who present symptoms of Dementia and to help them overcome the fear of seeking help.

Lack of information — For more information around Dementia and services, talk to your GP, contact service providers mentioned in this booklet or talk to your community leaders.

Why should dementia be a concern for BME communities in Kingston?

Approximately 20% of Kingston residents are BME people.

Approximately 1,400 people in Kingston are living with Dementia.

Members of BME communities are under-represented in existing health and social care services leading to disparities in health outcomes and poor quality of life.

Local Services:

1      Local Branches of Alzheimer’s Society

Alzheimer’s Society has a South West London Office at Wandsworth - 241 Garratt Lane, Wandsworth, London, SW18 4DU, Tel. 020 8877 0033

There is also a Local Dementia Advise Service which is primarily aimed for people with Dementia as well as their families and carers. Kingston’s Dementia Adviser is Laura Maher - Laura.Maher@alzheimers.org.uk, Tel 0208 296 1317 

2      Admiral Nurse

These are specialist mental health nurses specialising in Dementia. They work within the NHS and use a range of interventions that help people to live positively with the condition. Currently there are approximately 75 Admiral Nurses in the UK.

Kingston’s Admiral Nurse is Sybil Sibanda -

Sybil.Sibanda@swlstg-tr.nhs.uk, Tel. 020 8390 0102.

3        Age Concern

Age Concern Kingston runs a Dementia Cafe at Raleigh House, 14 Nelson Road, New Malden, KT3 5EA. The centre is open every second Friday of the month. The next one is on 10^th July 2010. For further information please contact Natasha Rosner – Email – Natasha.Rosner@ageconcernkingston.org Tel. 020 8942 8256.

4      Dementia Carers Cafe

It provides support and a range of activities for carers and people living with Dementia. The centre is open every last Wednesday of the month, 6-8pm. For further information please email – dementiacarerscafe@yahoo.co.uk or Tel. 07535964435. Address - Amy Woodgate House, Nigel Fisher Way (off Merritt Gardens), Chessington, Surrey, KT9 2SN.

5      Kingston Chinese Association

Offers information and support to the Chinese community in the Borough.

Email - kca.newsletter@gmail.com

Finally, please vist  Alzheimers.org.uk  for more information.