Debbie shares her incredible 9-year journey as a Dementia Friends Ambassador volunteer.
“After nearly 9 years as a Dementia Friends Ambassador and having the wonderful privilege to deliver sessions to some amazing people, I decided it was time to step down from the role. I can’t say enough how proud I was to be the person to deliver these sessions.
“Today, I am sharing my journey to becoming a Dementia Friends Ambassador, what I learnt along the way, and why I recommended becoming a Dementia Friend to people of all ages and backgrounds.
“The inspiration to become a Dementia Friends Ambassador was a mixture of many elements. After the passing of my dad, I decided it was time for a change to my career pathway. I was working with families and the NHS maternity sector and decided I wanted to enrich the lives of older people, reducing isolation and promoting living well in care homes. I decided to become an activity coordinator in a care home. This change also helped enhanced the feeling of being closer to my dad.
“I have always been fascinated by the brain and conditions that may affect its daily function and the effects of dementia on individuals and their families have always been a forefront on my mind. Back in 2015 I found a local Dementia Friends Ambassador (at the time the role was called Dementia Friends Champion) and attended a session. I was so proud to have completed this session. It was so informative and highlighted for me the essential need to share awareness, guidance, support and information to those affected by dementia.
“I knew I wanted to become a Dementia Friends Ambassador myself, so completed the training by Alzheimer’s Society in 2016. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of sharing my knowledge to many organisations, families, carers and individuals affected by dementia. I have learned so much. I’ve seen how strong and caring people can be. I was privileged to hear personal stories from those living with dementia and their families. Being part of this helped my understanding of the stigma attached to dementia and the efforts around raising awareness wherever possible to create a better understanding of dementia and improve wellbeing and support.
“During my time volunteering in this role, my ambition was to create a more dementia friendly community. I was often called “Debbie dementia” in the local community as I would raise awareness in any way possible. I have walked, sang and had a slot on many radio interviews to promote awareness. I’ve delivered sessions to pubs, churches, mosques, Hindu temples, charity shops, bus drivers, estate agents, Doctors surgeries, fire service, Prince’s Trust and many more!
“One of my focuses was delivering sessions to unpaid carers. Their personal journey always amazed me, and it could be very emotional at times. I found I learned a tremendous amount from their personal experiences and no journey was ever the same.
“People in my sessions often had ‘light bulb’ moments on how they could support and understand those affected by dementia and the actions they could take. One of my passions was sharing how important it is to use the correct language when supporting those affected by dementia. I also really enjoyed the ‘who’s right’ activity. The wow factor from new Dementia Friends and the understanding of pre-judgement always gave me goosebumps. Realisations about dementia and its stigma were addressed and I could see so clearly and emotionally the changes in patterns of thinking relating to the dementia journey.
“Though I am stepping down from this volunteer role, I will still be involved with dementia support and awareness in my role as manager of the Unpaid Carers Service in Southampton, always flying the flag. I wanted to help ensure we can provide the best support possible for our service users and so I have encouraged all staff to become Dementia Friends. We also share information from and signpost to Alzheimer’s Society. The fact sheets are brilliant.
“I would recommend sessions to those in all walks of life. My outlook is that anyone can become a Dementia Friend and the impact on those around them from taking this initiative can only be positive!”
