Karen is hosting a Dementia Friends session on Saturday 15 March to raise awareness of dementia and help people learn how to help those with the disease. Everyone is welcome to come along between 10am and 12 noon to the Churnet Room, at the District Council offices in Leek. Will Boyce a Dementia Friends Champion will be running the session.
Karen said:
“I am very pleased to be able to organise this practical Dementia Friends session. The personal impacts of dementia on individuals suffering from this devastating illness and on their families and carers too is something that has been brought home to me very forcefully.
“Current estimates are that 800,000 people in the UK have dementia and this is expected to rise to over 1 million by 2021 and 1.7 million by 2050.
“This event is designed to raise awareness of the disease and its symptoms. We will learn how to better recognise those suffering from dementia and about some simple ways to help - for example, how to approach someone on the street or in a supermarket if you see them struggling for whatever reason. Please come along and find out more.”
Will Boyce, Dementia Friends Champion said:
“As part of Approach’s commitment to Dementia Friends and the raising of awareness of dementia in society, Approach is delighted to be working in partnership with Karen on this open session in Leek which is open to anybody from the general public”.
Ann-Marie Snelson, Regional Support Officer for the Alzheimer’s Society said:
“I am passionate that Dementia Friends can make a real difference to our communities, turning understanding into action. As Regional Support Officer I am inspired and amazed on a daily basis by the commitment of Champions such as Will Boyce and Dementia Friends to help others in their communities. Dementia Friends illustrates that small actions can have a massive impact and no action is too big or too small.”
To come along to the event you can register your interest and book a place via the Approach website: http://www.dementiafriends.org.uk/session/4891#.UxbeX2CPO1u or contact Erika in Karen’s constituency office on 01538 382421.