Type=image;ImageID=15377;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=Dementia Action Week;TitleClass=strong;
They included a very well attended information and advice event at the Bob Jones Community Hub yesterday morning (Tuesday), where more than 20 local service providers showcased the support on offer to people living with dementia and their carers.
Following that, Wolverhampton's Grand Theatre hosted a workshop where more than 120 people including healthcare professionals and members of the public learned more about what it is like to live with dementia and then turned that understanding into action by becoming a Dementia Friend.
Michelle Monnes Thomas, from FBC Manby Bowdler, who led the workshop with Lee Allen from the Alzheimer's Society, said: "It was so inspiring to see so many members of the public from all different backgrounds and walks of life come together to learn more about dementia and interact with each other and share their experiences.
"It was a pleasure to deliver the session and to share my passion for dementia and to create 120 Dementia Friends who I hope will wear their badges with pride."
BBC WM's Sunny and Shay broadcast their afternoon show live from the session, interviewing representatives from a number of local organisations including the City of Wolverhampton Council.
BBC WM also appealed for people affected by dementia in any way - whether they are living with dementia, offer care and support for someone with the condition, or know someone who is - to join its new Dementia Choir. After 6 weekly rehearsals, the choir will perform at Birmingham Symphony Hall on Monday 9 July; to get involved, please email makeadifference@bbc.co.uk.
Tuesday's events were two of more than a dozen taking place throughout the week.
Tomorrow (Thursday 24 May), special Walking for Health walks and exercise classes is taking place at Wednesfield Community Hub, Well Lane, from 10am to 3pm, FBC Mandy Bowdler hosts a craft morning with Fiddle Fingers to create quilts at its offices on George Street, Snow Hill, from 10am to 2pm, the Black Country Partnership Foundation Trust holds an information session and activities at Brooklands Health Centre, Brooklands Parade, from 10am to 3pm, while Memory Matters will meet shoppers at Sainsbury's St Marks from 10am to 2pm to raise awareness of memory concerns and share tips about living better with a diagnosis of dementia.
On Friday, Wolverhampton Police and the City of Wolverhampton Council's Trading Standards team will raise awareness of scams - and how people can prevent themselves from falling victim to them - at Waitrose, Penn Road, from 10.30am to 3pm, St Aiden's Church on Mount Road in Penn holds a Beetle Drive from 2pm to 4pm and members of the Alzheimer's Society are on Gulshan Radio to raise awareness of dementia from 1.30pm.
On Saturday, St Aiden's Church hosts a Posh Afternoon Tea from 2pm to 5pm, and on Sunday the Church of the Epiphany in Oxley holds a dementia friendly service starting at 10.45am.
Meanwhile, Light House Cinema on Fryer Street is offering carers and the person they care for discounted tickets to see the films Edie and That Good Night between 25 May and 31 May, with tickets priced at just £2.50.
A little further ahead, popular poet Mandy Ross will lead a morning of poetry and song, entertaining people living with dementia with gentle humour and activities, at East Park Library on Monday 11 June from 10am to 12pm. This event is organised by Poetry on Loan, Wolverhampton's library service and the Carer Support Team, and people will also be able to find out more about the Memory Matters service.
Councillor Sandra Samuels OBE, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Adult Services, said: "Wolverhampton is a Dementia Friendly Community and naturally we are very pleased to be hosting such an extensive programme of events and activities to mark Dementia Action Week.
"I would like to thank everyone who took part in the two events yesterday, both of which were hugely successful, and encourage people to take part in some of the remaining activities which are planned over the next few days."
The wide ranging programme was organised by Wolverhampton Dementia Action Alliance, and chair Jon Crockett said: "The City of Wolverhampton Council and Alzheimer's Society are great supporters of Wolverhampton Dementia Action Alliance and this week of activities would not have happened without them.
"The Alliance is about individuals, organisations, businesses all doing something to support people with dementia to live full, active lives, and I would like to thank everyone for their support in making sure Wolverhampton is leading the way in being a dementia friendly community."
For more information about the help and support available to people living with dementia in Wolverhampton, please visit Type=articles;Articleid=6893;Title=Dementia;. To become a Dementia Friend, please visit Type=links;Linkid=5999;Title=Dementia Friends;Target=_blank;.
People who are worried about dementia can contact the Alzheimer's Society for information and support either via the National Dementia Helpline on 0300 222 1122 or by visiting Type=links;Linkid=3328;Title=Alzheimer's Society;Target=_blank;.
To see a gallery of images from Tuesday's events, please visit Type=links;Linkid=10484;Title=Flickr - Dementia Action Week;Target=_blank;.
- released: Wednesday 23 May, 2018