Events planned as Tamworth joins Dementia Action Week

A series of events have been planned to raise awareness about dementia as Tamworth joins national Dementia Action Week.

A packed week of events including coffee mornings, befriending lunch, dementia awareness sessions and the return of the RemPods, will take place in the town between Sunday, May 15 and Sunday, May 22.

It is the sixth year that Tamworth has taken part in the national event since being granted Dementia Friendly Community status in 2018, to help improve the lives of local people living with dementia. It is also the return of face-to-face activities since the pandemic.

Activities are being organised and co-ordinated by the Tamworth Dementia Friendly Communities Partnership - a partnership of stakeholders working together to raise awareness and improve services locally. Tamworth Dementia Friendly Communities Partnership includes Tamworth Borough Council, the police, fire service, health care services and providers, community groups and businesses.

The various events aim to either support people living with dementia, to help others understand what it is like for those living with the condition, or to raise money for vital equipment and services.

The week of events begins on Sunday, May 15, with a Dementia Awareness Raising with Parishioners service at Wigginton Church from 10.30am. Everyone is welcome.

On Tuesday, May 17, the Memory Café at Sacred Heart Church, will be hosting a Market Place where people can come and gather information, advice and support from 10.30am-12.30pm. If you know someone living with dementia or memory Loss, come along, no pre-booking is necessary.

Dementia Friends are holding a session also on Tuesday 17 at Ankerside from 2pm. This will be delivered by Councillor Tina Clements. You can book on the session by visiting the website: www.dementiafriends.org.uk.

Another event on the Tuesday, includes Dementia Awareness Raising at The Hollies and Crown Medical Practice Surgery from 10am - 12noon. Communities Together CIC will be there to promote dementia support and activities. Everyone is welcome and no pre- booking is required.

On Wednesday, May 18, Thursday 19 and Friday 20, a Dementia Awareness Raising Alzheimer’s stall will be located in Ankerside from 11am - 1pm. Alzheimer’s volunteers will be at hand to answer any questions.

A Befriending Lunch will also be hosted on the Wednesday at The Hub in the Castle Grounds from 12noon - 2pm and the return of the RemPods, positioned in Ankerside from 10am - 3pm, situated in Castle Square adjacent to Boots.

An additional Dementia and Alzheimer’s Awareness Raising, will take place on Saturday, May 21 at Tamworth Market, weather permitting.

Dementia awareness services will be held at the weekend at the following churches:

• St John the Baptist from 6pm on Saturday, May 21 and from 10.30am on Sunday, May 22
• Sacred Heart Church from 9am and 12pm on Sunday, May 22

Awareness stands will be on display during the week at Tamworth Library, this will include the promotion of a newly published book entitled Scary Aunt Sally by local author Barry Coleman.

Full details of all events can be downloaded via the Dementia Friendly page of Tamworth Borough Council’s website at www.tamworth.gov.uk/dementia-friendly.

As an official Dementia Friendly Community, a lot of work has taken place in Tamworth to create a community in which people living with dementia, including carers, feel understood and supported, with access to the services they need.

This includes building an army of Dementia Friends - people who have undergone a short awareness session, to give them a basic understanding of dementia and some of the issues it can create for people living with it. According to latest figures, Tamworth has more than 5,000 Dementia Friends, 10 Dementia Friends Champions and more than 760 Digital Friends.

Work is co-ordinated through the Tamworth Dementia Action Alliance, a growing partnership of businesses, community groups and organisations, working together to raise awareness and improve services.    

Chairman of the alliance, John Edwards, said: “Every time a person becomes aware of the difficulties faced by those living with dementia and carers, life becomes easier for those affected. Tamworth can be rightly proud of the progress that has been made and the determination to do more in the future.”

Becoming a Dementia Friend can be done online or in person and takes less than an hour. Visit www.dementiafriends.org.uk or contact Tamworth Borough Council’s Lead Officer for Dementia Friendly Communities, Karen Clancy, on 01827 709565.