Skipton supports Dementia Action Week

Wednesday 22 May 2019

This week is Dementia Action Week and the Skipton Community Fund has lent its support to Dementia Friendly Guernsey in an attempt to raise awareness of the condition.

The Fund has granted £1,500 to the charity, allowing it to host a tea party at the Duke of Richmond hotel for those living with dementia and their carers.

Tomorrow's event will be free of charge, offering afternoon tea, scones, music and dancing. Volunteers will be on hand to discuss community and cognitive activities like memory boxes and sining, which could benefit those with the condition.

"Almost all of us will know someone affected by dementia, but too often these individuals can feel cut off from society, facing their condition alone," said Chair of the charity Wayne Bulpitt. "Around 1,200 are living in Guernsey with a form of dementia and about two thirds of these are living at home.

"Thanks to the support of Skipton, events like our afternoon tea will give them a safe place in which they can socialise with their families and where we all can learn what more we can do to support those coping with dementia."

Pictured: Skipton International's offices.

In addition to the donation, Skipton staff will be volunteering at the event as well as baking cakes for a dementia friendly screening of Mama Mia at Candie.

"We are delighted to have assisted such an important charity through the Skipton Community Fund and hope that the events they are running for the week will help more become aware of the condition and how to help those living with it," said Commercial Manager at Skipton International, Aaron Walden. "Our staff are very keen to be involved with the afternoon tea, to make it the most enjoyable day they can for all those involved."

Dementia Friendly Guernsey was established in 2015 with the aim of transforming the quality of life for those with dementia and their carers, and helping them feel fully included in the island's society. The charity runs Dementia Awareness training sessions for individuals and corporations to encourage as many people as possible to become 'dementia friendly'.

Pictured: Wayne Bulpitt and Aaron Walden.