Viv Stead, our Head of Recreation and Well-being at Nellsar, was delighted to attend this years’s Namaste Care International (NCI) Annual Conference, held at the University College Cork in Ireland, and online, on 24-25 September. The two-day event, themed ‘Care, Connection and Culture’ and ‘Skills, Practice and Purpose’ brought together global leaders, practitioners, and advocates in Dementia care.
Representing Nellsar Care Homes as an ambassador for Namaste International, Viv was both honoured to attend and deeply enriched by the experience:
“It was an incredible privilege to attend the conference and I was also very pleased to be able visit a Care Home that will be starting the ‘In Touch‘ project which aims to enhance Dementia palliative care. To spend time and witness first-hand the energy and care that Professor Joyce Simard, the founder of Namaste Care International, displays was an absolute joy for me, and it was inspiring to witness the collective passion for enhancing the lives of those living with Dementia through the principles of Namaste Care.
Day one focused on the cultural and emotional aspects of care. Highlights included a thought-provoking discussion on the principles of Namaste Care by Professor Joyce Simard and Rishi Jawaheer, NCI Director (pictured above). I was particularly moved by Hassan Fadli’s presentation on ‘5IronmansBeatAlzheimer’s’, which emphasised the importance of community empowerment in destigmatising Dementia. The breakout sessions provided valuable insights into how Namaste Care is being implemented globally, including in Singapore and within the NHS.
Day two delved into practical applications and future directions. Vennus Ho Yuen-wai’s session discussed embedding Namaste in spiritual end-of-life services, whilst Christina Cosgrove reflected on 25 years of Namaste Care at the Vermont Veterans’ Home, showcasing the long-term impact of this approach. Another key speaker was Michael Verde, founder of Memory Bridge who spoke so inspirationally about Dementia without loneliness.
As an ambassador, I felt immense pride in representing Nellsar and contributing to the global conversation on Dementia care. The conference reinforced the importance of our work and provided a roadmap for integrating innovative practices into our Care Homes. It was incredibly valuable to connect with like-minded professionals and learn from their experiences.
Thank you to Namaste Care International for this fantastic opportunity. I look forward to sharing these insights across our Nellsar Homes, to ensure we continue to provide compassionate, person-centred care for our residents.”
Viv with Joyce Simard at the conference
