DISC Dementia Information & Support Courses CIC

From the very beginning DISC was service user focused. It had been requested and named by carers and Louise and Emma have ensured that at every stage carer’s input has been sought to ensure that DISC is meeting their needs. Every penny donated to DISC goes towards our groups, sessions and all running costs.

Louise and Emma decided upon DISC being a CIC because they wanted to ensure it would be a not for-profit organisation, with all resources going back into directly supporting carers but, they would still be able to pay themselves a salary. Louise, Emma and May intend to pay themselves a reasonable wage but they do not have any form of Directors package or any bonus payment scheme. They will be the only paid staff of DISC and between them cover every duty from marketing to service delivery however, they will buy in specialist services for payroll and accounts from the local CVA. 

What we offer:

• We are currently operating online via Zoom, social media and calls due to COVID-19. Usually we meet face-to-face for groups and courses but our clients safety is our priority.

• We have an open referral system that allows carers to self-refer or allow other professionals, friends or family to refer to us.

• Developing and delivering a series of carer information courses called the DISC courses. They will consist of four levels and will cover all of the information needs that carers will have from what Dementia actually is and its symptoms and effects, all the way through to transitioning a loved one into residential care, end of life planning and how to transition into life after a caring role has ended.

• Providing online and telephone support to ensure that outside of peer support groups carers can still access advice and support when needed. 

• Supporting carers to develop their own peer support networks and facilitating these where needed.

• Supporting carers from the initial point of diagnosis all the way through their journey until their caring role ends. We will ensure that we support them to transition into the next stage of their lives.

• We will host a series of regular workshops and networking events open to both carers and professionals that will allow people to make connections and to access the support and services that are available. 

• DISC is committed to not charging carers for any of its services as Emma and Louise are very aware that at a time of financial hardship for many people, paying for a support service is beyond their means and is a real barrier to them being able to access the vital support and information that they need.