The Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Friends programme is the biggest ever initiative to change people’s perceptions of dementia. It aims to transform the way the nation thinks, acts and talks about the condition.
Karbon has invested heavily in the initiative over the years. Many of our colleagues are now Dementia Friends thanks to the hard work of our Dementia Friends Champions. These champions run information sessions, both within Karbon and out in the community, encouraging others to learn a little bit about dementia and take small steps to help people with dementia to live well.
One of our Dementia Friends Champions is our Community Connector for the Stanley area, Stacey Dobson. Here’s Stacey’s story.
“A few years ago, I attended an information session in the community to become a Dementia Friend. I was so surprised at how much I learnt about Dementia but most of all, how easy it was to pass the message on. I found myself talking to friends and family about it afterwards and realised how many people are affected by the disease in one way or another. I wanted to do more to raise awareness of how Dementia effects people living in our communities which is when I found out that I could be a Dementia Champion and deliver sessions in the community too.
"To become a champion, I had to attend a day training course ran by the Alzheimer’s Society. It was a really informal session with about 10 other people who wanted to be champions too. Once you’re signed off as a champion, there’s an expectation that you keep your knowledge up to date and touching base with the Alzheimer’s Society when you’ve delivered sessions to let them know how many Dementia Friends you have made.
"Since becoming a Dementia Champion I have delivered a few Dementia Friends Sessions to groups of residents in our Sheltered Housing schemes and during Covid I attended a training course to learn how to deliver the sessions virtually.
"I have also set up a Dementia Friendly Community project in Annfield Plain and Catchgate. It’s endorsed by the Alzheimer’s Society and involves various community partners getting together to work towards their community being a supportive one for people living with Dementia as well as their carers. We’ve had Memory Cafes run from Castle Court which were very well attended by residents as well as partners such as the Police. Tesco even supported us by donating sweet treats. Hopefully, this can get back up and running once it is safe to do so.
"If one of your loved ones developed Dementia in the future - what sort of community would you want them to live in? Certainly one where they feel supported, empowered and understood, I’m sure. This is why it is so important that we continue to raise awareness. Don’t underestimate the power of just talking to someone about Dementia or posting something on social media about it.
"I’d really recommend becoming a Dementia Friend to anyone who is thinking about it. After attending an information sessions, where I’m certain you will come away knowing a bit more about dementia than when you went it, all that is asked is that you help people living with dementia by taking action – big or small.
These actions don’t have to be time-consuming. From visiting someone you know with dementia to being more patient in a shop queue, every action counts and makes a big difference!"
To find out more about the Dementia Friends initiative, visit the website
The Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Friends programme is the biggest ever initiative to change people’s perceptions of dementia. It aims to transform the way the nation thinks, acts and talks about the condition.
Karbon has invested heavily in the initiative over the years. Many of our colleagues are now Dementia Friends thanks to the hard work of our Dementia Friends Champions. These champions run information sessions, both within Karbon and out in the community, encouraging others to learn a little bit about dementia and take small steps to help people with dementia to live well.
One of our Dementia Friends Champions is our Community Connector for the Stanley area, Stacey Dobson. Here’s Stacey’s story.
“A few years ago, I attended an information session in the community to become a Dementia Friend. I was so surprised at how much I learnt about Dementia but most of all, how easy it was to pass the message on. I found myself talking to friends and family about it afterwards and realised how many people are affected by the disease in one way or another. I wanted to do more to raise awareness of how Dementia effects people living in our communities which is when I found out that I could be a Dementia Champion and deliver sessions in the community too.
"To become a champion, I had to attend a day training course ran by the Alzheimer’s Society. It was a really informal session with about 10 other people who wanted to be champions too. Once you’re signed off as a champion, there’s an expectation that you keep your knowledge up to date and touching base with the Alzheimer’s Society when you’ve delivered sessions to let them know how many Dementia Friends you have made.
"Since becoming a Dementia Champion I have delivered a few Dementia Friends Sessions to groups of residents in our Sheltered Housing schemes and during Covid I attended a training course to learn how to deliver the sessions virtually.
"I have also set up a Dementia Friendly Community project in Annfield Plain and Catchgate. It’s endorsed by the Alzheimer’s Society and involves various community partners getting together to work towards their community being a supportive one for people living with Dementia as well as their carers. We’ve had Memory Cafes run from Castle Court which were very well attended by residents as well as partners such as the Police. Tesco even supported us by donating sweet treats. Hopefully, this can get back up and running once it is safe to do so.
"If one of your loved ones developed Dementia in the future - what sort of community would you want them to live in? Certainly one where they feel supported, empowered and understood, I’m sure. This is why it is so important that we continue to raise awareness. Don’t underestimate the power of just talking to someone about Dementia or posting something on social media about it.
"I’d really recommend becoming a Dementia Friend to anyone who is thinking about it. After attending an information sessions, where I’m certain you will come away knowing a bit more about dementia than when you went it, all that is asked is that you help people living with dementia by taking action – big or small.
These actions don’t have to be time-consuming. From visiting someone you know with dementia to being more patient in a shop queue, every action counts and makes a big difference!"
To find out more about the Dementia Friends initiative, visit the website
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