Dementia Action Week 2024

Dementia Friendly Communities in Tendring host events to mark national awareness week

DEMENTIA champions across Tendring are holding events to mark a national Dementia Action Week.

Community Voluntary Services Tendring (CVST), as part of its work with Dementia Friendly Communities, is bringing together community groups and organisations to showcase a series of dementia awareness events as well as ongoing support and activities.

The aim is to support those living with dementia and their families as well as promote the services available in Tendring.

Yvette Wetton, head of infrastructure at CVST, said: “For this year’s Dementia Action Week we wanted to bring together as many of the services and organisations together as possible under one umbrella.

“Being diagnosed with dementia can be a worrying and isolating experience, but we want to let people know there is so much in this area to help you.

“For us this week really is about people with dementia enjoying life their community.

“There are lots of events being held to choose from and ongoing groups to join and be a part of.

“If you or a friend or family member has been diagnosed or going through the process of diagnosis please come along to one of the events – everyone is welcome.”

Events for Dementia Action Week start early in Tendring with a Coffee Morning for Singing For Pleasure To Aid The Memory at Mistley Church Hall in New Road, Mistley on Friday May 10 from 10.30am to 12noon. There will be singing with Graham Long, refreshments, a raffle and cake and book stalls. Entry is £2 per person.

CVST’s Dementia Café welcomes members on Wednesday from 10am to 12noon at Imperial House, Rosemary Road, Clacton costing £1.50.

Then on Friday, May 17, there will be a free concert of Jupiter Singers at Frinton Free Church at 2pm, and a free Dementia Information Session delivered by Age Well East at the Electric Palace in Harwich from 10.30am to 11.30am. A dementia advisor will be available at the event for any support or advice needed.

The last event will be a coffee morning on Saturday, May 18, at Frinton Gospel Chapel from 10.30am to 12.30am with a short talk and presentation at 11.30am from Home Instead.

Nicki Cailes, Dementia Team Leader at Age Well East, said: “Dementia Friendly Communities is a network of enthusiastic organisations working towards Tendring becoming a Dementia Friendly Community.

“Our aim is to ensure those affected by dementia can continue to access the goods, services and facilities that they choose to, and feel supported by their local community.

“As part of that work, all the organisations involved have been keen to honour Dementia Action Week with events on top of the regular activities held in towns and villages across Tendring.

“We hope lots of people will come along and enjoy the events and maybe find a new group to join or support they need.”

Following on from the action week, CVST is launching a new group.

From May 31^st CVST will be running Mind the Music, a dementia friendly singing group, at Kennedy Way Community Garden in Clacton.

Each session will be £2.50 and run from 1pm to 2.30pm.