Council joins forces with local partners to support Dementia Action Week

Bridgend Council Borough Council will be joining others across the UK in supporting the Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Action Week – a nationwide event raising awareness of the importance of an early diagnosis for people affected by dementia and educating audiences on the most common symptoms of dementia.

Thousands of people across Wales have been diagnosed with dementia, and in recognition of this locally, several organisations across Bridgend County Borough will be holding a range of dementia friendly activities and information spots for you or a loved one to access over the campaign week. 

During the week,19-25 May, the main Civic Office building on Angel Street will be lit up blue to raise awareness. Whilst Bridgend County Borough Council’s Integrated Dementia Service will be holding a coffee morning on Tuesday, 20 May at 10am -12noon, taking place at Bridgend Resource Centre.

Locally, Halo Leisure Centres are running a ‘Feel Good For Life’ programme, designed to give people living with dementia, loneliness or depression, along with their carers, the chance to socialise and be active. They have a packed programme of activities planned across the county borough including:

·       Monday, 19 May at Ogmore Life Centre there will be games including boccia, curling, followed by socialising.

·       Wednesday, 21 May, at Bridgend Life Centre there will be Dementia friendly swimming, followed by social activities with the Awen Library team. 

·       Thursday, 22 May, available either online or at Bridgend Life Centre (Indoor Bowls Hall) they will be hosting friendly keep-fit activities run for half an hour by Halo staff and Alzheimer's Society ‘Singing for the Brain’, including for one day only, a special guest tribute all the way from Tennessee – Dolly Parton

·       Friday, 22 May, at North Cornelly Community Centre there will be resistance band exercises and games such as boccia and curling, followed by social activities with the Awen Library team. 

Bridgend Association of Voluntary Organisations (BAVO), also have lots planned during the week, including a stand at Halo Bridgend, where staff will be available to chat about the dementia friendly community activities available. They will also be hosting a walk, in partnership with Halo Life Centre, on Wednesday, 21 May, 2-3pm, at Newbridge Fields for people living with dementia and those supporting the cause. After the walk there will be an afternoon tea with crafts in Halo Life Centre, this is primarily for the people with dementia who attend ‘Feel Good For Life’ programme.

Whilst their community navigators and dementia support officer will be attending dementia support activities alongside partners across Bridgend County Borough including:

·       Mental Health Matters – Around Bridgend Dementia Hub

·       Awen Libraries – Pyle Library arts and crafts

·       Ospreys in the community – Porthcawl sporting memories

·       Alzheimers Society – Bridgend Singing for the Brain

For more information contact Abi Jenkins - Abijenkins@bavo.org.uk

You could also visit Awen Libraries across the county borough who have a range of books - the ‘Reading Well’ for dementia booklist from The Reading Agency featuring titles recommended by a panel of people affected by dementia, leading health professionals and library staff. The collection has been built to help people understand more about dementia and includes books that provide information and advice; there are also personal stories and children’s fiction. For further information on the scheme, visit: https://readingagency.org.uk/get-reading/our-programmes-and-campaigns/reading-well/

And finally, Alzheimer's Society Cymru have national and local resources available for people living with dementia, their carers, and professionals. For more information, visit: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get.../dementia-action-week