Series Of Local Events For Dementia Awareness Week

This week, from 14th-20th May, is Dementia Awareness Week and throughout it a series of activities will be taking place around the region.

Alzheimer’s Society and other Dementia groups are joining together across England, Wales and Northern Ireland to raise awareness and raise funds towards research.

Dementia Friends Sessions, where people can get training and support to create dementia-friendly communities, a dementia-friendly film screening of the musical Showboat and a memory group picnic are just some of activities that are taking place.  For a full list see below:

Events taking place locally during Dementia Awareness Week include:

• Sunday 14th May 6pm: St Peter’s Church, Chesterfield Road, Belper DE56 1EZ – Past Lives: Belper on Film This film is created from home cine footage given by local residents and shows scenes of Belper and surrounding district from the early 1950s up to 1980s. The screening will be accompanied by a live music soundtrack. Tickets available from OXFAM BOOKS AND MUSIC and online www.belperartsfestival.org Tickets: Adults £8 · Over 60s & Under 16s £6
• Monday 15th May 1.30pm-4pm: Nailers Conference Centre, Belper Football Club, Bridge Street, Belper DE56 1BA Doors open at1pm – Dementia Friendly Matinee Screenings present “Show Boat”- For people living with dementia or memory challenges, their family and friends.  Enjoy this classic musical in a dementia friendly setting.  Cost £4 includes tea and cake. Transport available.
• Monday 15th May 1pm – 2.30pm: Belper North Mill, The Courtyard, North Mills, Bridge Foot, Belper DE56 1YD – Craft & Heritage Session designed for people living with dementia hosted by Belper North Mill.  A free accessible taxi service is available booking for this event is essential as limited spaces please call Siobhan Fennell – Accessible Belper on 01773 826477 It’s 1 – 2.30pm Monday 15th May with 2 x craft/heritage linked activities.
• Weds 17th May – Derbyshire –  Derbyshire Police launch the Herbert Protocol. The Herbert Protocol is a national scheme which encourages people with dementia, family, friends and carers to put together useful information on a simple form which can then be used if a person with dementia goes missing. Please see Derbyshire Police website for more details.

A more extensive list of events in the Amber Valley can be found here and here.

What is Dementia?

Dementia Friends describe dementia as being caused by a number of diseases that affect the brain. The most common is Alzheimer’s but diseases also include vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy Bodies and Pick’s disease.

Different types of dementia affect the brain at different rates and in different ways, but other things like someone’s personal circumstances, the people around them and the environment in which they live, will affect their experience of dementia. Dementia progresses in a way that is unique to each individual.

There are currently around 850,000 people with dementia in the UK and around 12,900 Derbyshire people are expected to be affected by the condition by 2018.