Shepperton has been rocking against Dementia again. Crowds gathered in Jubilee Hall to join 53 countries around the world who were all raising money to help fight the disease. From India to New Zealand, via India, China and the Middle East, people were gathering to raise money and awareness.
In Shepperton local dignitaries were out in force. By all accounts it was a fabulous evening with entertainment galore.
In May the country will be marking Dementia Awareness Week. Dementia is set to be the 21st century’s biggest killer but awareness and understanding remains low and many families are facing the challenges alone.
Shepperton has been singled out as one of the great success stories in Dementia awareness within Spelthorne. Many of the shops on the high street display the Purple Angel dementia awareness stickers, showing that staff have signed up to a commitment on how to interact with someone with the condition. The latest recruit is Trio pharmacy. Dementia Friends Alzheimer’s Society will be holding a training session for the public on 16th May in the Village Hall. Everyone is welcome so do pop in and see how you can get involved.
Spelthorne Dementia Support (Purple Angels, Jean Saunders and Lisa Greaves) run the Open Minds Memory Café at the Greeno. The next meeting is in fact Monday May 15th where Terry will be coming along to sing.
Jean and Lisa, the Purple Angels are also forming a buddy scheme. This is where you can get involved. Could you spare some time? The group is looking to encourage locals to buddy up with someone in the community who lives with dementia, to offer friendship, support and perhaps outings from time to time. They are hoping to recruit people who have time to visit someone living locally who has dementia to have a cuppa and a chat for at least one visit a week.
They are looking for volunteers who have empathy, a smile and friendly face with an understanding listening ear. The new group has had funding from Cllr Denise Saliagopoulos and have now started to get this project launched. The emphasis is to Include people living in the community who have dementia not to Exclude them.
In the picture above Vanessa and Pat from the Greeno are in the middle, flanked by Vivienne Anderson, a volunteer at The Greeno and Jean Saunders (in purple of course). They are some of the 14 members of Purple Angel Pals/Buddies.
During Dementia Awareness Week there will be a Pet Therapy session at The Greeno at 10.30 on 19th May. A pony, as well as kittens and rabbits, all hand reared, will be there for all to come along and visit.
Launch of ‘Dementia Friendly Shepperton’
Tuesday 16th May 2017 – at the Village Hall
During National Dementia Awareness Week
Shepperton residents, traders and councillors show their support for those living with memory loss, their families and carers. Come to the village hall for the launch declaration at 2pm, view the information stands of the Alzheimer’s Society, and local support and activity groups, including
CAMEO, ‘Purple Angels’ and the Greeno Centre
Book now for the afternoon’s Dementia Friends Training/information session 2.40-4.10pm.
Entirely FREE and offered by Tony Oakden, the Dementia Champion at the Diocese of Guildford.
Reserve a place Email: community.connector@spelthorne.gov.uk or Tel: Nigel 01784 448587.
Or just turn up!