Dementia - Raising Awareness

Around 800,000 people in the UK suffer with dementia. One in three people over 65 will develop the illness, two-thirds women, and the number of people affected is increasing as we all live longer.


Dementia sufferers can become apathetic or uninterested in their usual activities, and have problems controlling their emotions. They may also find social situations challenging, lose interest in socialising, and aspects of their personality may change.

To help understand the needs of those sufferers the Alzheimer’s Society has introduced a Dementia Friends programme It’s the biggest ever initiative to change perceptions. aiming to transform the way the nation thinks, talks and acts about dementia.


Witney Rotary Club is supporting this programme and helping to raise awareness of dementia. President Steve Holborough led the way, completing a half day Dementia Awareness Course at St Mary’s Church Witney and qualifying as a Dementia Friend.

A Dementia Friend is someone who has a better understanding of dementia; will know how to act more sympathetically towards people with dementia in their communities and workplaces; and has committed to taking a practical action to help people with dementia, contributing to a dementia friendly community. From telling friends about the Dementia Friends programme to visiting someone you know living with dementia, every action counts.
Learn more about the Dementia Friends scheme here…

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