What does this all mean?
I recently attended an information session with Dementia Friends, an initiative of the Alzheimer’s Society to obtain more information about the work that this organisation is doing.
The Dementia Friends programme is the biggest ever initiative by the Alzheimer’s Society to change people’s perceptions of dementia. It aims to transform the way the nation thinks, acts and talks about the condition.
Dementia Friends share five key messages:
- Dementia is not a natural part of ageing
- Dementia is caused by diseases of the brain
- Dementia is not just about losing your memory
- It is possible to live well with dementia
- There is more to the person than the dementia
Once I had completed the Dementia Friends information session, I decided that I wanted to do more; therefore I completed a Dementia Friends Champion Training Session.
According to the Alzheimer’s Society, there are over 10,000 volunteer Dementia Friends Champions encouraging people to learn a little bit more about dementia. Champions are trained and supported by the Alzheimer’s Society to run Information Sessions in their community and help inspire others to help those living with dementia live well.
At the end of the Dementia Friends Champion Training session, I was approached by the local Dementia Friends Officer and asked whether I would be interested in delivering information sessions on behalf of the Dementia Friends in the North East rather than just under my own initiative, which I have taken to be a huge commendation of my approach to the core values of the initiative.
As part of the commitment that Three Counties is making to improve people’s perceptions of dementia, they have kindly agreed to support me while I provide information sessions on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Society to other companies and organisations.
