You can join the national campaign and become a national ‘Dementia friend’ at a community open afternoon in Southbourne tomorrow (Tuesday 20 May).
As part of Dementia awareness week May 18-24, Bournemouth Council have collaborated with the Dementia Action Alliance to hold a Dementia information event at the
Immanuel Church on 120 Southbourne Road in Southbourne between 1pm-4pm.
It is open to everyone and aims to raise awareness of Dementia in the community with an opportunity for people to become a national ‘Dementia Friend’ as seen on television and endorsed by celebrities Amanda Holden, Terry Pratchett and others.
Professionals will be on hand to offer information and advice and there will also be workshops where you can learn more about dementia
Councillor Blair Crawford, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said:
“We want to make Bournemouth dementia friendly and this means improving understanding, removing stigma and making sure we support people with the right advice and services so they can live well with dementia.
“Dementia is not just about memory loss; dementia can change the way that people experience the world around them and this means they sometimes need a helping hand. This is where we need the community to come in. We hope as many people as possible will come along to the event and become a ‘Dementia Friend’. You can also find out more about dementia and the small things you can do to make a difference to friends, family or people in your community living with dementia.”
Bournemouth Poet Laureate, James Manlow, will be attending to give the first reading of his poem ‘Tea time’ inspired by his new learning of dementia and becoming a ‘Dementia Friend’.
At 2.30pm, Les Hickman, Dementia Friends Champion will be delivering a Dementia Friends information session.
More information about the national Dementia campaign can be found herehttps://www.dementiafriends.org.uk/
