Support and care services given a boost ahead of Dementia Awareness Week

New services, support and awareness raising will all form part of Shipston’s efforts to mark Dementia Awareness Week, which takes place from 18-25 May.

The theme of this year’s Dementia Awareness Week is ‘Don’t Bottle it Up’.[nbsp] At the SCAN meeting on Tues 13th May, Dr Sue Pritchard will launch the ‘Make Shipston a Dementia Friendly Town’ campaign which will showcase all the services that are available locally for those affected by dementia, including support groups such as the Stour Valley Carers Group and the Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Cafe. The campaign is designed to improve the quality of life of those affected by dementia. For full details, see the Shipston Medical Centre column on page 14.

A ‘Singing for the Brain’ taster event is taking place on Friday 16th May, to which all those affected by dementia are invited (see pg 10). These sociable sessions have been shown to have a positive impact on people with dementia and they may become a more regular feature in Shipston.[nbsp]

Funding for the sessions is now in place thanks to donations from the League of Friends of Shipston Hospitals and Stour Valley Lions, and community groups are now working with the Alzheimer’s Society to explore options.

Mayor, Ronnie Murphy, said “I’m delighted to see so many positive plans in place to support the growing number of people affected by dementia. I am proud to support the new campaign and look forward to getting more involved.”