Local support for Dementia Awareness Week

Several events and initiatives are planned for Dementia Awareness Week – May 18-24.

On Monday, May 19, health and social care organisations across Blackburn with Darwen and East Lancashire will be holding a dementia awareness event at Turf Moor, Burnley from 10am-3.30pm.

The session is designed to provide people with valuable information about dementia services and support. For more information call (01772) 536294.

Kingsway, the Extra Care Housing site, in Blackburn will be hosting a public open day on Wednesday, May 21. Members of the public are welcome to come and take part in one of three information sessions on dementia care and the Dementia Friends campaign starting at 10.30am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm. After each session there will be a chance to meet the team, have a walk round, ask questions and have a cup of tea or coffee. Contact0303 123 1241 for more information.

On Thursday May 22, the Your Support Your Choice shop in Blackburn town centre will also be holding several dementia awareness sessions. To register a place visit www.dementiafriends.org.uk or call (01254) 292620.

All of the events are linked with the new Dementia Friends campaign, which Blackburn with Darwen residents are being urged to get involved with.

Dementia information sessions are all linked to the new national campaign which encourages people to become a Dementia Friend by watching an interactive video online to increase their understanding of the condition and using what they learn to assist people in their local community.

It has been launched by Public Health England and the Alzheimer’s Society and is being supported locally by Blackburn with Darwen Council and Blackburn with Darwen 50+ Partnership.

For further information on how to become a Dementia Friend, please visit www.dementiafriends.org.uk

Steve Tingle, Chair of the Blackburn with Darwen 50+ Partnership, said:

“It is only by understanding the issues that people living with dementia face from their point of view, that we can fully appreciate the challenges they have to overcome on a day-to-day basis. By becoming a Dementia Friend, you are playing crucial role in helping us take one step closer to creating a dementia-friendly society.”