Dementia Action Week

Staff at Age UK Wyvern have run a programme of outings, drop-in sessions, coffee mornings and training events to mark Dementia Action Week (19^th - 23^rd May 2025).

The week kicked off with an event at Redditch Football Club which saw Age UK staff team up with representatives from the Early Intervention Dementia Service and Admiral Nurses, who provide support to relatives and carers. Sally Williams, who helped run the session, commented, “We feel it’s important to work with other support organisations, so that people can receive a joined-up service rather than being passed from pillar to post”. The rest of the week saw drop-in sessions at GP surgeries, musical performances at Pershore and outings to Coughton Court, Snowshill Manor and Witley Court amongst the activities on offer.

Age UK Wyvern has a dedicated team working to support those affected by dementia and their families. They assist them to find the support they need to live the lives they want to, provide a listening ear for problems and worries and run cafes and social events enabling people to get out and about.

One of their main aims is helping people to remove obstacles stopping them from enjoying life the way they want. Kelly Reeves, Dementia Service Manager, feels passionately about this, “The key message I want to share is that people can live well with dementia and that starts with removing the stigma surrounding the condition. With the right knowledge and support, individuals can continue to lead meaningful lives. It's time we see the person, not the label.” 

This year Dementia Action Week focussed on the importance of getting an early diagnosis of dementia. Astonishingly, 1 in 3 people living with dementia do not have a diagnosis and therefore miss out on finding support networks and help available to them.  Dementia varies hugely from person to person but common first signs include problems following a conversation, forgetting things that have happened recently and personality changes. People who are worried about symptoms are encouraged to talk to their GP, which is the first step in getting a diagnosis.