Thanks to Ben for sharing details of this campaign taking place from the weekend. Ed
Dementia is one of the biggest modern public health concerns, and impacts on the lives of not only the person with dementia, but their family, friends and carers. Dementia Awareness Week is a chance to learn more about dementia, and the support that is available on the Island.
Throughout the week there will be a number of events taking place, including:
- Friday 16th May – Age UKIW have a stand at the Farmers Market in St Thomas Square, Newport from 9am to 2pm, which will have a wealth of information about the support that is available for those with dementia, their family and friends.
- Monday 19th May – Coffee morning at Farnsworth Newsagents, 76 St James Street, Newport from 10am to 2pm. Coffee, cakes and biscuits with all donations going to charities helping to fight dementia. Come in for your papers and magazines and stay for coffee and a sweet treat…or two.
- Monday 19th May – Ryde based Police will be taking part in dementia awareness training with Age UKIW.
- Monday 19th May – The guys from the Oar-some Memories Challenge will be at Sainsburys, Freshwater where there will be raffling off a great Kayak kindly donated by Earth Wind and Water, as well as other fun and games from 10am to 4pm.
- Tuesday 20th May – Oar-some Memories will be moving their roadshow onto Sainsburys in Cowes from 10am to 4pm.
- Wednesday 21st May – Age UKIW will be hosting dementia awareness raising talks with pupils at Ryde School and with residents at Orchard House, Newport.
- Wednesday 21st May – Oar-some Memories will be spending the days on Wightlink Ferries (Fishbourne – Portsmouth route), where they will be hosting a range of games, and raising awareness and funds for dementia services on the Isle of Wight.
- Thursday 22nd May – Dover Park Primary School will host a special dementia awareness raising assembly, and play games linked to dementia with Age UKIW and a visit from the balloon modelling policeman PC Stephen Hull.
- Thursday 22nd May – PC Stephen Hull will then visit the Ryde Memory Group where he perform magic and balloon modelling for attendees with dementia.
- Thursday 22nd May – Oar-some Memories will be pitching up at Tesco Ryde with their range of games, raffle and more fun for all of the family from 10am to 3pm. Followed by a open to all beach party, disco and BBQ at Appley Beach from 4.30pm with the whole crew.
- Friday 23rd May – The guys from Oar-some Memories will be spending their last day of their roadshow at Tesco Ryde from 10am to 3pm.
- Southern Vectis travel shops in Newport and Ryde will become ongoing Safe Havens. A safe haven is a place people with dementia can be taken is they are found lost or confused.
- Southern Vectis have also produced a ‘Safe Journey Card’ for people with dementia to carry. This card is will officially launch during Dementia Awareness Week.
Dementia Friendly Isle of Wight
Dementia Awareness Week is part of the ongoing project to create a Dementia Friendly Isle of Wight, which was started with a successful pilot scheme in Ryde, and which continues to grow and gather momentum.
To date, dementia awareness training sessions have been delivered to nearly 300 people, including staff from Southern Vectis, Fire and Rescue Service, Church staff in Ryde, library staff and School children, with more work planned with Wightlink, Isle of Wight Police, Church projects and local businesses.
