2,000 Dementia Friends in Guernsey

Sunday 01 July 2018

Dementia Friendly Guernsey is celebrating its 2,000th Dementia Friend on the island.

On Friday 29 June, Dementia Friendly Guernsey passed the milestone when over 40 members of the Guernsey’s U3A movement (University of the Third Age) participated in a dementia awareness session during one of their regular afternoon tea events at La Villette Hotel.

Dementia Friendly Guernsey is a partnership of charities, organisations and professionals working together to help those living with dementia and their carers to live better, and having only launched in February 2017, now having had 2,000 islanders attend their sessions is a major milestone.

Julie Bulpitt, Dementia Friends Co-ordinator for the group and one of the Champions delivering the sessions said they had been  delighted by the feedback received from those attending the one hour sessions.

"It has been fantastic," she said, "the sessions provide a high level awareness of dementia and how it impacts those with the condition through activities and then to focus on five simple things that individuals can do to help those living with the condition to live better.

"Those participating have come from all walks of life, whether  members of organisations such as U3A, large employers and organisations within the island and individuals with an interest or perhaps with a family member who has been diagnosed. I have particularly enjoyed the range of ages, from six year old Beaver Scouts and school assemblies to groups like todays."