Activities are taking place in Winchester this week to support people living with dementia and their families and carers.
The events are part of this week’s national Dementia Action Week, which runs until Sunday, May 19.
Twenty events have been coordinated by the Dementia Friendly Winchester team – a group of committed individuals, local organisations, charities, churches and businesses, all passionate about raising awareness of dementia.
Interim chair of Dementia Friendly Winchester, Anna O’Brien said: “We are all passionate about supporting those living with dementia, and their families and carers. We hope the activities we are running this week help raise awareness and understanding of dementia; support affected families and carers; and give people living with dementia some stimulating opportunities to come together and enjoy joyful activities, knowing they are valued and cared for.”
Two coffee mornings took place earlier this week to support those affected by dementia, and give them the opportunity to come together in a relaxed environment, have a chat and exchange experiences.
They could also take away helpful literature for many of the support groups that run locally, and other sources of advice and information for carers.
The coffee mornings were put on for free by two local Winchester businesses – Cabinet Rooms in Jewry Street and Rick Stein Winchester in High Street.
Hendrik Engelbrecht, restaurant manager at Rick Stein Winchester, said: "Coming from small communities in both South Africa and New Zealand, our coffee mornings has been the perfect opportunity for me to meet people from this community, truly generous and kind people. It gives me great joy to be part of something that does a little good."
Everyone Active's Winchester Sport and Leisure Park is also supporting this year’s Dementia Action Week with an information point in the foyer all week.
It held an event earlier this week with information stalls run by local support organisations, and is offering opportunities for people to try free taster sessions of walking netball and seated yoga.
On Thursday, May 16, there’ll be a market stall along the High Street.
And on Friday, May 17, there will be a couple of singing groups for those living with dementia: at the Pastoral Centre at St Peter’s Catholic Church on Jewry Street from 11am to 12noon, and at the Salvation Army on Parchment Street from 1pm to 2pm – no need to book a place.
On Friday, people are also encouraged to pop along and bring a picnic lunch at Abbey Gardens where from 11am to 2pm there’ll be information stalls, and nearby outside the Guildhall the Dementia Bus aims to raise awareness of how the world is perceived through the eyes of someone living with dementia.
Tony Winterton, from Home Instead Central Hampshire, one of the local businesses actively engaged in running activities for this week’s Dementia Action Week in Winchester, said: “Home Instead Central Hampshire has been a supporter of Dementia Friendly Winchester for many years, and has helped in getting the Virtual Dementia Bus to the city-centre on Friday between 9am and 4.30pm.
"It gives people a virtual experience of living with dementia first-hand. Pre-booking is not required – just turn up.”
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