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The Alzheimer's Society's Dementia Friends initiative was launched in 2013 to tackle stigma that results in social exclusion for people with dementia and since then it has been transforming the way people act, think and talk about the condition. The hour long sessions involve learning more about dementia and finish with a commitment to an action that will improve the lives of people affected by dementia.
The session, at the Grand Theatre, Lichfield Street, from 2.15pm, is being organised by law firm FBC Manby Bowdler with support from the City of Wolverhampton Council and Alzheimer's Society.
The session will be led by Michele Monnes Thomas from FBC Manby Bowdler and Lee Allen, Services Manager at Alzheimer's Society in the Black Country. The organisers are expecting dozens of professionals and members of the public to attend.
Michelle Monnes Thomas, a Dementia Friends Champion, said: "With an ageing population, dementia is a growing problem that currently affects around 850,000 people in England. The Dementia Friends session is a brief insight into how people can make a difference and help and support those people living with the condition. FBC Manby Bowdler is committed to tackling the stigma and lack of understanding around dementia and are proud to be part of this initiative. We've recently officially been labelled as a dementia friendly firm in recognition of our work with the Dementia Action Alliance."
Worcestershire, Herefordshire and the Black Country have 343 Dementia Friends Champions, who are volunteers aiming to help raise awareness about dementia and they have helped 45,350 people become Dementia Friends.
Councillor Sandra Samuels OBE, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Adults, said: "We are determined to make Wolverhampton as dementia friendly as possible, and each and everyone one of us has a role to play in this. Becoming a Dementia Friend is a quick and easy way in which you can do your bit, by understanding a little more about dementia and the sort of things you can do to help people living with the condition."
Dementia is the biggest health and social care crisis facing society today. Someone develops the condition every three minutes and too many are facing it alone. One in every 30 people in England, Northern Ireland and Wales now involved in the biggest ever social action movement to change perceptions of dementia
Ann-Marie Snelson, Senior Dementia Friends Regional Officer, said "It's encouraging to see what a difference can be made when people become Dementia Friends. Up and down the country, many people are no longer being excluded in their own communities. The public response so far has been phenomenal, but we must not lose momentum as dementia continues to be the biggest health and social care crisis of our time. We need all of society to unite with us against dementia by becoming a Dementia Friend."
To find out how to attend the session, contact the Alzheimer's Society Black Country Office on 0121 521 3020.
- released: Friday 18 May, 2018