Campaign puts focus on dementia support

Dementia Awareness Week is Alzheimer’s Society annual flagship awareness raising campaign and takes place from Sunday, May 15 until Saturday, May 21.

The community roadshow bus will be arriving in Bedfordshire before the campaign week to help people with dementia and their carers access local essential services.

A variety of events are also being held bringing charities, organisations and services together, offering advice and information.

There will be a coffee morning at Trinity Methodist Church, Biggleswade, on Wednesday, May 18, from 10am until 1pm.

The event will have stalls from several organisations such as Alzheimer’s Society, Age UK and Carers in Bedfordshire.

There will be a Singing for the Brain session during the morning and the event will conclude with a Dementia Friends presentation.

If you visit Bedford, there’s an event at the Harpur Suite on Wednesday, May 18, with an information and café event.

This will also include stalls from Alzheimer’s Society, Tibbs Dementia Foundation, Carers in Bedfordshire and Telecare.

Music will be provided by the Carers Choir. The event will be open to all and run from 10.30am until 3pm.

The Community Roadshow Bus will be at the Harpur Square, Bedford, on Tuesday, May 10, from 10am until 4pm, when residents are welcome to visit for a chat and have questions answered.

A spokesman for the campaign week said: “This year, during Dementia Awareness Week, Alzheimer’s Society are helping people to face up to dementia and share their worries about the condition. Please show your support and try to come along to one of the events.

You can contact the Alzheimer’s Society at Suite B2, The Pilgrim Centre, Emerald Court, Brickhill Drive, Bedford, MK41 7PZ, call 01234 327380 or visit https://www.alzheimers.org.uk

The National Dementia Helpline is 0300 222 1122.