TWENTY activities will be held in Winchester over a week to encourage more action to be taken to improve the lives of people affected by dementia.
The events will help support those affected by dementia and let people know about the regular local events and help organisations available to them.
This month sees the annual Dementia Action Week take place from Monday, May 13 to Sunday, May 19.
In Winchester, the local Dementia Friendly Winchester Action Group has organised a range of activities over the week-long campaign.
Dementia Friendly Winchester is made up of committed individuals, local organisations, charities, churches and businesses, all passionate about raising awareness of dementia and supporting people living with dementia and their loved ones/carers.
Interim chair of Dementia Friendly Winchester, Anna O’Brien said: “We wanted to offer a variety of activities through the week, highlighting the support that is out there on our doorstep throughout the year from caring groups in our community.
"It is important that people don’t feel isolated or that they are going through this alone. We want people to know there’s help available, regular opportunities to connect with others, and to do activities they have always enjoyed."
Planned activities in Winchester include information events to talk to representatives from support organisations, a chance to try out some gentle exercises at Winchester Sport and Leisure Park, a dementia-friendly nostalgic cinema screening of ‘Back to the Future Part II’, opportunities to catch up over a cuppa and cake, and to join in one of the local singing groups which run regularly.
There’ll also be a ‘dementia bus’ giving people a virtual dementia experience so they can see the world through the eyes of someone with dementia, and think about how they can best support them.
A number of local businesses are involved in helping with activities for this Dementia Action Week, including Cabinet Rooms on Jewry Street.
Managing director Gary Whiter said: "Many of us here at Cabinet Rooms have served customers who are living with dementia, or have experiences of it within our own families.
"We're really happy to support Dementia Action Week and offer even a momentary diversion for some of those affected in the community."
A number of local churches are involved in the organised activities for Dementia Action Week too. Rev.
Marcus Dickinson from the Winchester Baptist Church, on City Road said: “We have an excellent team of volunteers who lead short devotional times in local care homes who look after people living with dementia.
"We are committed to helping everyone, regardless of their circumstances, know that they are loved by God - carers of those living with dementia are welcomed with open arms to our Welcome to Wednesday games morning as well as our Saturday Breakfast. Dementia should not be a barrier to us being able to show God's love and kindness.”
There are projected to be over a million people with dementia in the UK by 2025. Figures from NHS England at the end of February 2024 state that 1093 people aged 65 and over are diagnosed with dementia in the Winchester District.
Though most prevalent in older people, dementia can also affect people who are younger.
It it is caused when nerve cells in the brain become damaged, and this results in issues such as memory problems and confusion, changes in perception and behaviour, and difficulties with everyday tasks and communications.
Anyone worried about themselves or a loved one possibly having dementia should see their GP. Detecting dementia early means people can access treatments and support to help them live and manage the condition as well as possible.
List of events
Monday, May 13
Information Drop-in at The Arc, on Jewry Street, Winchester SO23 8SB, anytime from 10am to 12noon. Call by and speak to members of the Dementia Friendly Winchester team about what local support organisations and activities are available for those living with dementia and their carers, and hear more about the special activities planned for this Dementia Action Week.
A pre-booked coffee and cake get-together at Cabinet Rooms, Winchester, especially for those living with dementia accompanied by a family member/carer. Places limited. To book, contact organiser Anna O’Brien at Winchester Radio: 01962 603947
Drop by the Winchester Sport and Leisure Park, Bar End Road, Winchester, SO23 9NR for an Information Afternoon running from 2pm to 4pm. There’ll be a range of local organisations who provide dementia support and services attending. Plus some free taster sessions of gentle exercise activities to try.
A pre-booked Winchester Cathedral Memory Tour especially for those living with dementia accompanied by a family member/carer. N.B. Places for this week full. To book a tour for other upcoming dates, contact organiser Deborah Macartney at Winchester Rotary via email: membership@winchester-rotary.org
Tuesday, May 14
A pre-booked coffee and cake get-together at Rick Stein Winchester, especially for those living with dementia accompanied by a family member/carer. Places limited. To book, contact organiser Anna O’Brien at Winchester Radio: 01962 603947
A pre-booked Winchester Cathedral Memory Tour especially for those living with dementia accompanied by a family member/carer. N.B. Places for this week full. To book a tour for other dates, contact organiser Deborah Macartney at Winchester Rotary via email membership@winchester-rotary.org
Wednesday, May 15
Get along to the ‘Welcome to Wednesday’ session at the Winchester Baptist Church, City Road, Winchester SO23 8SD from 10am to noon. Offering a warm space in the church hall where you can play table games, enjoy refreshments, reminisce or just chat.
Go and enjoy a dementia friendly film screening of ‘Back to the Future Part II’ at the Everyman cinema, Southgate Street, Winchester SO23 9EG. Organised in association with Home Instead Central Hampshire. Arrivals from 10am. Film starts 10.30am. Free to attend, but donations welcome on the day for ‘Dementia Friendly Winchester.’
Drop in to Winchester Heights Care Home, Stockbridge Road Winchester SO23 5JH from 2pm to 4pm for afternoon tea and cake plus entertainment with a live singer. Places limited. To book contact organiser Dawn Sanders at Winchester Heights: 01962 814400
Join in a free ‘Singing for the Brain’ session at the Church Hall, adjacent to St Gregory the Great’s Catholic Church, Grange Road, Alresford S024 9HD from 2pm to 3pm. Organised by Home Instead Central Hampshire.
A pre-booked Winchester Cathedral Memory Tour especially for those living with dementia accompanied by a family member/carer. N.B. Places for this week full. To book a tour for other dates, contact organiser Deborah Macartney at Winchester Rotary via email membership@winchester-rotary.org
Thursday, May 16
Pop by and have a chat with the team at Home Instead Central Hampshire who’ll have a market stand at Winchester’s city-centre market from 9am. Other members of other ‘Dementia Friendly Winchester’ will also be available to talk to throughout the day about the support and services they offer.
Friday, May 17
Get on board the ‘Dementia Bus’ and experience the virtual dementia tour – to see the world how someone with dementia may perceive it. Aimed at raising awareness and understanding of what it is like living with dementia, this 5 to 6 minute tour is particularly helpful to those who want to better support customers, clients or recently-diagnosed loved ones. The bus will be parked up outside the Guildhall Winchester, The Broadway, Winchester SO23 9GH.
Stop by Abbey Gardens, just off The Broadway, Winchester SO23 9BE and bring a picnic lunch (and some sunshine with you!) anytime from 11am to 2pm. There will be a range of information stalls where you can go and talk to people from local charities and other organisations who are part of ‘Dementia Friendly Winchester’ and provide local activities, and support information.
Join in a free ‘Singing for the Brain’ session at the Pastoral Centre, adjacent to St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Jewry Street, Winchester from 11am to noon. Organised by Home Instead Central Hampshire.
Join in a free ‘Singing by Heart’ session at the Salvation Army Hall, Parchment Street, Winchester SO23 8AZ from 1pm to 2pm organised by the team at the Salvation Army. Open to all.
Saturday, May 18
Enjoy a hearty Community Saturday Breakfast at the Winchester Baptist Church, City Road, Winchester SO23 8SD anytime between 9am to 11am. Continental breakfast (donation of £1.50). Open to all.
Sunday, May 19
A special dementia-friendly Church service at the Winchester Baptist Church, City Road, Winchester SO23 8SD at 10am (duration of around half-an hour).
All Week
Information Table with takeaway-leaflets at offices of Winchester City Council, Colebrook Street, Winchester SO23 9LJ
Information Table with takeaway-leaflets in foyer at Winchester Sport and Leisure Park, Bar End Road, Winchester SO23 9NR
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