At Nuvo Wellbeing we work with a lot of class members who are living with Dementia. Whether that be in our care home or community classes, we see the effects dementia can have on an individuals life. Due to this, Dementia Friends is a cause close to our hearts.
To help with the cause our instructors are Dementia Friends trained and this month Emma, our Assistant Project Lead and Dementia Friend Champion, co-hosted two Dementia Friend training days at Foundations Medical practice on Thursday 14th February.
19 came along to the training and left as Dementia Friends with the intention of making their community, work, and life a little brighter for those living with Dementia.
What is a Dementia Friend?
A Dementia Friend gains insight into what it’s like to live with dementia, then they turn that understanding into action. Because of this, anyone can be a Dementia Friend. Whether you attend a face-to-face Dementia Friends Information Session or watch the online video, Dementia Friends is about learning more about dementia and the small ways you can help. From telling friends about Dementia Friends to visiting someone you know living with dementia, every action counts.
What does a Dementia Friends Session involve?
Dementia Friends Information Sessions are run by volunteer Dementia Friends Champions, who are trained and supported by Alzheimer’s Society. Each Information Session lasts around one hour. Participants learn more about dementia and how you can help to create dementia friendly communities.
Emma told us:
Each session went on for about a hour. We carried out a range of tasks so that participants gained the knowledge to make a difference to those living with dementia. I personally deliver this training as it is highly personal to myself and I would like people to gain a better understanding of dementia and learn way in which they can accommodate it in their everyday lives.
How can you help those with Dementia?
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- Get in touch and stay in touch with someone you know living with dementia.
- Volunteer for an organisation that helps people with dementia
- Campaigning for change, e.g. by signing up to Alzheimer’s Society’s campaigns to improve the lives of people with dementia
- Wearing the Friends badge and tell 5 friends about their initiative
- Carry out a personal action e.g. Be more patient when out in my community
Please share this post to help raise awareness of Dementia Friends and how we all can make a difference!
