Carol Bowsher, Community Development Coordinator, plays a vital role in engaging with diverse South Asian communities across Birmingham. Through her work delivering Dementia Friends Sessions, which she does independently, and also alongside Dementia Advisors or Community Link Volunteers who speak additional languages, Carol hopes to bridge cultural gaps in dementia awareness.
This South Asian Heritage Month, Carol shares why it’s so important to reach out to communities that are often underrepresented in conversations about dementia.
Earlier this year, Alzheimer’s Society collaborated with the Edgbaston Neighbourhood Network Scheme, to hold a ‘Memory Matters’ Dementia Awareness event.
Carol recalls: “The event was very well attended by local community members from a range of ethnic backgrounds, including South Asian, Black, African, and Caribbean communities. The event focused on dementia risk reduction factors, and included a Dementia Friends Session, as well as showcasing our South Asian ‘Singing for the Brain’ group.”
Carol highlights the unique challenges faced in some communities:
“It is so important to help raise awareness in communities where there is often additional stigma associated with conditions like dementia. In some languages, there isn’t even a word for dementia, which makes it harder to talk about. In those cases, I find using the term ‘memory problems’ instead can be helpful.”
“There are often misconceptions about support, and acceptance of support in South Asian communities. Many South Asian communities are doing a lot of work themselves to raise awareness of hidden health issues, by talking more openly and organising health and wellbeing days and we have seen how people have opened up to us over time.”
“By talking more about dementia, encouraging people to become Dementia Friends, and working closely with different communities, we can help bring dementia out into the open and ensure everyone has access to the information, advice and support they need.”
Feedback from the event was positive. Sandra McNair, Edgbaston Neighbourhood Network Scheme Project Manager said:
"The Dementia Friends session formed an important part of the Edgbaston Neighbourhood Network Memory Matters event. A culturally diverse group of carers, the cared for and professionals engaged in interactive workshops that raised awareness, understanding, and ways in which communities can support"
If you'd like to find out more about Dementia Friends Sessions, please email dementiafriends@alzheimers.org.uk
