Care Skills Academy: Leading The Way With Dementia Training
Our Care Skills Academy launch in 2025 made us really think about what training and skills were needed in our teams, and what areas required extra focus. There are estimated to be over 8000 people living with dementia in Wiltshire, though that figure is likely much higher, so we wanted to offer training to our team that wasn’t solely an e-learning module or a quick discussion during a CarePro team meeting. Chloe, our wonderful Trainer, completed a course so she could train a City & Guild’s accredited dementia foundation course. This coincided brilliantly with our Care Skills Academy launch, and we’ve now successfully trained Care Professionals in our Oxford and Swindon offices, who now have the qualification.
What does the course contain?
The Dementia Foundation Course is made up of a series of in-depth modules, exploring not only the experience of the person living with dementia, but also the vital roles of their family, Care Professionals and the environment around them. Chloe guides our team through the impact dementia can have, the importance of person-centred care, effective communication techniques, and how to better understand and respond to common challenges. The course also provides practical guidance on what to consider when supporting someone with dementia and best-practice approaches to delivering compassionate, high-quality care.
Rich in detail and discussion, the training equips our Care Professionals with the knowledge, tools and confidence they need to provide the right support. Delivered through a blend of virtual and classroom-based learning, the course creates valuable space for shared experiences, open conversations and collaborative problem-solving.
How impactful has it been?
Chloe’s most recent training group for our Swindon branch was the lovely Usha, Monika and Amanda. Each of them enjoyed the training and gave us some wonderful feedback.
Usha told us “even if you know about dementia, there is always more to learn. I felt Chloe’s delivery of the training was good with useful tips and videos, with plenty of time to ask questions”.
Monika said “the dementia training was very valuable. It had clear structure, plenty of case studies and real-life experiences from the others on the training. This feedback has modified the way I offer choice of care for a client I support living with dementia, and encouraged me to use less complex and more closed questions. Chloe is an excellent Trainer.”
Huge thanks to Usha, Monika and Amanda for sharing feedback and for taking part in the training!
Helping our community with dementia support
At Home Instead Swindon & Vale of White Horse, we are passionate about supporting people living with dementia to live well and independently at home. Through our commitment to continuity of care and consistent, scheduled visit times, we provide the stability and familiarity that is so important for dementia care. Remaining in the comfort of home, surrounded by treasured memories and routines, can make a meaningful difference to our clients’ wellbeing.
As part of our Care Skills Academy, our goal is to ensure every one of our Care Professionals receives specialist dementia training – a mission we are proud to be actively working towards. We’ve already seen the positive impact this training has had, strengthening our ability to deliver truly high-quality, person-centred care.
We are also extending our dementia awareness sessions beyond our own team, offering training to clients and their families. Dementia can feel overwhelming to understand and navigate, which is why, through our Later Life; Better Informed campaign, we aim to provide practical guidance, reassurance and support. By sharing knowledge and building confidence, we hope to empower families to face the journey ahead feeling better informed and supported. If you’d like to discuss this further, reach out to Val, our Care Manager, at val.shurey@homeinsteadswindon.co.uk, or call our office on 01793 232585.
