Dementia Friends
Age UK Portsmouth proudly supports Dementia Friends and many of the charity’s staff and volunteers have participated in the information sessions.
What is Dementia?
Dementia is caused when the brain is damaged by diseases of the brain, such as Alzheimer’s Disease. The word ‘dementia’ is not one specific disease, but a set of symptoms that may include memory loss and difficulties with thinking and problem solving. It is a progressive disease which means it can get worse over time. For more information on Dementia please visit here.
Why become a Dementia Friend?
Being Age UK Portsmouth-based Dementia Friends means that we have taken the time to learn a little bit more about dementia, and what it may feel like to have the condition. This in turn helps us to treat those interacting with us with greater understanding, patience and support often ensuring an enhanced and sometimes personalised social experience at The Bradbury Centre.
Dementia Friends help to reduce the stigma surrounding dementia, enabling people to feel confident about asking for help. People living with dementia want to carry on with their daily lives and to remain included in their local community - sometimes they need a helping hand to do so.
How do I become a Dementia Friend?
You can become a Dementia Friend by watching an online video or attending an information session run by a Dementia Friends Champion. We run regular sessions for Age UK Portsmouth staff, volunteers, service users and the general public all year round.
Since we started running the Dementia Friends sessions both at Age UK Portsmouth and for local organisations such as John Lewis and Tesco, over 140 Dementia Friends have been made in Portsmouth, 41 of whom are Age UK Portsmouth staff and volunteers.
To find out more about Dementia Friends, please visit: https://www.dementiafriends.org.uk.
