Dementia affects nearly a million people in the UK, including approximately 3,600 in Wolverhampton.
Dementia Action Week, organised by the Alzheimer’s Society and supported by the City of Wolverhampton Council and other members of Wolverhampton Dementia Action Alliance, is an opportunity to raise awareness of the help and support available to people living with dementia, and their families and carers.
A series of activities are taking place throughout the week. The Admiral Nurses and Memory Matters are holding an information session at Brooklands Parade Health Centre, WV1 2ND tomorrow (Tuesday) from 10am to 2pm.
Memory Matters will also be inviting people to call them regarding their memory concerns or those of someone they care for during a phone-in session on Wednesday from 2pm to 4pm – call 01902 551852.
The Dementia Action Alliance will be holding an information event at the Change Makers Hub at Wolverhampton Railway Station on Wednesday from 10am to 4pm, where they will be joined by the council’s Public Protection and Welfare Rights, Healthwatch Wolverhampton, Admiral Nurses and the Grand Theatre.
The Public Protection team will also be holding Scams Prevention talks at Beechcroft Care Home on Wednesday at 3pm and Bantock Park Café on Thursday from 1pm to 3pm.
Meanwhile, the Alzheimer’s Society will be at a Dementia Awareness event at Hope Community Project tomorrow (Tuesday) from 10am to 12.30pm), holding a Dementia Café at Bantock Park on Thursday from 1pm to 3pm, delivering Dementia Friends training with staff at DBC Manby Bowdler and holding a drop-in session for GPs.
Meanwhile, Wolves Foundation will be continuing their popular Molineux Memories sessions, with group members also being invited to attend Wembley Wonders, an evening reminiscing about the 1974 League Cup Final, at the Grand Theatre tomorrow.
To see the full timetable, please visit Wolverhampton Dementia Action Week Activity Timetable.
Jon Crockett, Chair of Wolverhampton Dementia Action Alliance, said: “Dementia Action Week is showing once again the range of organisations across the city who are out there making a difference for those people living with Dementia, their families and carers.
“I’m proud of all those people who are putting on events across Wolverhampton which will help people to understand more about dementia and what they can do help people to living with dementia. It is estimated that 1 in 3 people born in the UK today will be diagnosed with dementia in their lifetime and it remains the commitment of everyone in the Dementia Action Alliance to make Wolverhampton a dementia friendly city.
“Dementia Action Week gives us the opportunity to showcase the many organisations who are working hard to make that ambition a reality.”
Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the council's Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing, added: "Dementia Action Week enables us to highlight the support available to people living with this debilitating condition, and their families and friends.
"We would also like to encourage more people in Wolverhampton to become a Dementia Friend so you better understand the needs of people living with dementia and can do your bit to help them. You can do this online by visiting Dementia Friends.”
People who are worried about dementia can contact the Alzheimer's Society for information and support either via the National Dementia Helpline on 0333 150 3456 or by visiting Alzheimer's Society. For more information about the help and support available locally, please visit Dementia.
The Dementia Action Alliance brings together a range of local organisations which want to make Wolverhampton more dementia friendly, including businesses, emergency services, religious groups and education providers. For more information, please visit Dementia Action Alliance.
