We are proud to have several active Dementia Friends Champions here at Whitehead Monckton - namely Associate Director Katie Broadfield, Director Janet Goode, Solicitor Bekka Fuszard and Trainee Legal Executives Samuel Corse & Amy Turner-Ives. They are volunteers for the Alzheimer's Society and have received training and receive ongoing support to be able to offer Dementia Friends Information Sessions to staff and the local community. Each session lasts 45-60 minutes.
The Dementia Friends initiative is about learning more about what it is like to live with dementia and turning that understanding into action. Nearly two and a half million Dementia Friends have now been created across the UK; each helping to change the way we act, talk and think about dementia. As part of Alzheimer’s Society’s long-term commitment to help more communities and businesses become dementia-friendly, a new target of creating four million Dementia Friends by 2020 has been set.
Talking about her role as a Champion, Bekka says: ‘I signed up to be a Dementia Friends Champion because I am passionate about dementia awareness and creating a dementia friendly society. My Grandad had dementia and, working in the Tax and Estate Planning Department here, I regularly meet clients who are living with dementia themselves or have loved ones who are. I’m proud to be part of a growing network of people creating dementia friendly communities together.’
Christine Sherringham, Dementia Friends Regional Support Officer at Alzheimer’s Society says: ‘Dementia touches the lives of millions of people across the country. Dementia Friends was launched to tackle the stigma and lack of understanding that means many people with the condition experience loneliness and social exclusion. It’s all about learning more about dementia and the small ways you can help. From getting in touch with someone you know living with dementia to wearing your badge with pride, every action counts.’
If you would like to register an interest in a Dementia Friend Information Session, please contact any of our Champions who would be delighted to hear from you
