Dementia Friends in the news this week

Workington MP and her staff are Dementia Friends

Via Cumbria Crack [05 October 2016]

Sue Hayman, Member of Parliament for Workington, along with staff from her constituency office, have become Dementia Friends as part of an initiative by the Alzheimer’s Society. Last week, they took part in a Session to gain a greater understanding of dementia and how they can help people living with the condition. There are over one million Dementia Friends across England and Wales.

Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Friends programme is the biggest ever initiative to change people’s perceptions of dementia. From being more patient in shop queues, to volunteering, to campaigning for change, Dementia Friends help create communities in which people living with dementia feel more understood and included.


Sue Hayman MP and her constituency office staff from their Dementia Friends training session

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Silver Sunday festivities bring Balby residents closer together

Via Gainsborough Standard [06 october 2016]

Residents of a Balby retirement living scheme have enjoyed an afternoon of fun and games with the local community as they marked Silver Sunday. Staff from Sanctuary’s Gresley Road scheme organised the event, which took place at the town’s community centre and saw guests enjoying a variety of activities and entertainment.

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Leyton Orient are doing something amazing for people with dementia

Via East London & West Sussex Guardian [4 October 2016]


Alison Gordon, Alli Anthony (Alzheimer’s Society) with Os players Jordan Bowery and Arthur Janata and community liaison officer, Howard Gould

Leyton Orient is set to offer 100 free tickets to people with dementia and their families for their match this weekend.
The Os will host a special dementia awareness day during their League Two clash with Portsmouth at Brisbane Road on Saturday, October 8.

The event is part of Alzheimer’s Society’s Team Dementia Friends campaign, which is encouraging clubs to educate stewards and staff on dementia by the end of the football season in May 2017.
Orient has also offered 100 free tickets to people with dementia and carers to enable them to sit together.

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Shadwell coach reaches thousands with Dementia campaign in Tower Hamlets

Via The Docklands & East London Advertiser  [01 October 2016]


Emdad with 104 year old Max Levitas the oldest Dementia Friend in the world.

A youth football coach has helped spread awareness and understanding of dementia to over 2000 people. Emdad Rahman, 40, from Cannon Street Road, Shadwell, has reached a landmark 2000 ‘Dementia Friends’ for the charity of the same name. As a Dementia Friends Champion, Emdad gives talks to his community to encourage people to help dementia sufferers and spread the word about the condition.

Emdad became a Dementia Friend in 2015 after attending the same workshop he now delivers. He became aware of the programme after he attended a training session at Lords Cricket Ground to become a volunteer steward. Since becoming a champion he has given talks to youth clubs, church groups and mosques, to name but a few. “I simply love my role and fit it around my spare time. Whether it’s two or two million I’m just happy I’m helping make a difference,” said Emdad.

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