Bath and North East Somerset’s third annual regional dementia awareness conference was held in Peasedown St John last Tuesday at St John’s Church.
Organised by the Peasedown Community Trust and sponsored by homecare provider Bluebird Care, the conference featured keynote speakers, information stalls, an opportunity to network, a tasty lunch and a chance to meet charity leaders and experts working in the field of dementia research and awareness.
The village’s local councillors Cllr Karen Walker and Cllr Gavin Heathcote (Independents, Peasedown), said:
“We were thrilled to host this conference in Peasedown St John.
Every three minutes, someone in the UK will develop dementia. With dementia on the rise, communities across the country are making a stand, and Peasedown St John is no different.
Since 2020, more than 450 residents have attended one of the Peasedown Community Trust’s dementia awareness workshops. They have been instrumental in raising the profile of the work we’re doing in the village – which we were able to showcase at this special regional conference.”
Keynote speakers included Emily Stenton from Bluebird Care, who shared advice and information about caring for a loved one living with dementia.
A huge range of organisations were present for delegates to meet, including:
· The Rainbow Care Group
· ReMind UK
· Darcy Gardens: The Barchester
· Dementia Challenge Curo Services
· The Royal United Hospital
· Appleton Nutrition
· Older People’s Voice
· B&NES Carers’ Centre
· Forgot Me Not Club
· Alzheimer’s Society
· Companions Who Care
· Care UK
· Abney & Baker
The conference was completely free for anyone who would like to attend thanks to sponsorship provided by Bluebird Care.
Nathan Hartley, Director of the Community Connectors initiative, was this year’s conference facilitator. He said:
“We were delighted to have Bluebird Care’s support for this year’s conference. It means a lot to us and our work to create a dementia friendly community across Bath & North East Somerset.
There are currently 900,000 people in the UK living with dementia, and that figure is set to rise to 2 million by 2050.
One in four people will be affected by dementia in their lifetimes, especially those diagnosed with clinical anxiety in middle age, which is why it’s important to work with individuals and their families to try and make life much easier for those who have it.”
Peasedown St John’s third annual Dementia Awareness Regional Conference, ‘Creating A Dementia Friendly Community’, was held on Tuesday 19th May, 10am – 3pm at St John’s Church, Church Road (BA2 8AA).
