Launch of Dementia Friendly Wendover

Wendover Dementia Alliance launched Dementia Friendly Wendover on Thursday 18 May on the forecourt of Wendover Community Library.

At 10am some Dementia Friends from Wendover Junior CofE school arrived. They became involved in the cake cutting ceremony – and distribution – and surveyed members of the public in attendance. Several workshops took place in the Library Room including Lasting Powers of Attorney with Stuart Fantham; Dementia Friends with Jacqui Sheppard; Scams Champions run by Chris Holden of Trading Standards. Lots of stalls gave useful information.

Prevention Matters, a free service delivered by Buckinghamshire County Council, is a full partner in Wendover Dementia Alliance. It was also on hand to offer to support and advice, linking eligible adults to community activities to support and help people stay independent, living within their own communities. For more information call 0300 666 0159.

At 11am, Tom Walsh, Chairman of Wendover Parish Council, spoke about the importance of working together so that everyone could help to make Wendover a Dementia Friendly Community. Please email sian.chattle@lindengate.org.uk to offer help.

Local resident Sir Jackie Stewart had sent a message (see below) to endorse the work of Wendover Dementia Alliance. To see dementia Friends from Wendover CofE Junior School reading the text click here (coming soon). Debbie Bowden of Lady Grey Tea Room had supplied the cake, decorated with the logo, and fresh forget-me-nots, cut by representatives of Wendover Dementia Alliance. The logo was produced by Wendover born designer Kaz Cooper.

The Alzheimer’s Society was present and people with memory concerns or a diagnosis of dementia and their carers across Bucks can call the Memory Support Service for advice, information and support on 01296 331749.One favourite stall showed the work done by Lindengate, the Wendover born Mental Health Charity. Sian Chattle, one of the Founders, gathered together the organisations at this launch event. A Memory Pathways session is scheduled between 11.00am – 2.00pm on the last Friday of every month. This is specifically designed to help people living with dementia. For more information click here.

The launch closed with a Chiltern Music Therapy session when everyone could feel the uplifting effect of playing an instrument and/or singing.

Following on from the launch, there was a Twiddle Mitts session at the Local Produce Market on the Manor Waste on Saturday 20 May. Twiddle Mitts help those with restless hands.

Aston Hearing hold Hear Today coffee mornings:1st Tuesday of the month in Thame Town Hall; 1st Friday of the month in Old Amersham Market Hall. Well fitted hearing aids can reduce many of the symptoms common with the early stages of dementia.

Local resident Sir Jackie Stewart dictated the following words to support the initiative. He was happy for them to be read out on the day:

“As some people may be aware, the Stewart family has been affected by dementia as my wife, Helen, was diagnosed more than three years ago. Dementia needs to be talked about more openly. More people should share the concerns of perhaps recognising their own lack of short term memory and difficulties that dementia brings to a person who, in the past, was potentially only recognised as growing old and forgetting things. It’s far more complicated than that.

For a small community like Wendover to take on a project like this is extremely worthy and can be helpful to a great number of people. Dementia can seriously affect an entire family and someone with dementia has to be supported, not only by their own family, but by friends and acquaintances who will step in to light up the life of someone who can be very confused, very depressed and sometimes very lonely.

Dementia comes in many forms. It can from time to time provoke someone into saying things that would normally not be socially acceptable. It can provide a different choice of words during moments of frustration and sometimes anger, that could be embarrassing to some. It’s not unknown for the sufferer, through the same frustration, to strike out without the intent to hurt anyone, purely caused by the frustration of their own inability to clearly understand what is being required; even when someone is providing help and assistance.

Companionship is a big blessing to someone with dementia. Being taken out, even if it’s in a wheelchair or being supported whilst walking, which is sometimes uncomfortable, can also be a blessing.

As many people as possible should recognise that all communities are growing older. We are healthier than our parents were and are naturally living longer. We are therefore potentially more exposed to dementia entering our lives, which can be hugely disruptive but, more than anything else, can be sad and frustrating for the sufferer.

Well done to those who are making the effort to make dementia better understood and more importantly, being helpful to those who are facing the challenge.”

Sir Jackie Stewart – April 2017