Dementia Friends Information Sessions for Schools and Colleges
Message from Dr John Linnane, Director of Public Health, Warwickshire County Council
The Dementia Friends Initiative aims to change the way people think, act and speak about dementia. The initiative is led nationally by the Alzheimer’s Society and is based on the principle that people with dementia can live well with a little help from other people and there are now almost two million Dementia Friends in England. Becoming a Dementia Friend is about understanding a bit more about dementia and the small things that can help people with the condition. You don’t need to already know someone with dementia to become a Dementia Friend.
Raising awareness of dementia amongst our younger generation is incredibly important and I am writing to encourage you to consider hosting a Dementia Friends Information Session at your school / college.
Benefits to your school and students / pupils:
- Dementia Friends is a National initiative - be part of something really positive
- World Alzheimer’s Month is in September – a great time to link with a national and international awareness raising campaign
- Can be delivered within PSHE lessons – links with Citizenship
- Can be delivered to year groups or whole school assemblies (up to 200 pupils)
- Sessions can be tailored to specific age groups (from 5-18)
- Free session lasting 45-60 minutes
- All resources provided
- Dementia Friends Badges and Information card provided to every participant
- Minimal organisation required from the school.
A session was delivered to over 200 year 12 students from Kenilworth School Sixth Form. Mr Mummery, Senior Deputy Headteacher / Head of Sixth Form, Kenilworth School and Sixth Form said:
‘The Dementia Friends Champions gave a most interesting, interactive talk explaining how each person with dementia is individual and reminding us all that people living with dementia need everyone’s support and respect. The session was delivered as part of the year 12 assembly and was well received by students and staff. I would encourage other schools and colleges to host an Information Session as a positive way to raise awareness of dementia among the younger generation’.
Warwickshire County Council and the Alzheimer’s Society would like to support your school / college to host a Dementia Friends Information Session. The Information Sessions are interactive and focus on five key messages that are important for everyone to know about dementia.
If you have general queries or would like to request a Dementia Friends Information Session within your school / college in Warwickshire, please complete the attached form / contact Keeley Waldron, Regional Support Officer - Dementia Friends, from the Alzheimer's Society on 07718 252457 or by email: keeley.waldron@alzheimers.org.uk
Thank you for helping to raise awareness and understanding of dementia. Further information can also be found on Warwickshire's Living Well with Dementia website: www.warwickshire.gov.uk/dementia
Please find further details of Warwickshire’s Dementia Friends Challenge below. This information should provide some useful local context.
In Warwickshire, there are estimated to be approximately 7,600 people living with dementia and this is likely to rise to over 11,000 people with dementia in the County in the next ten years. The fact is that most people in Warwickshire will be affected in some way by dementia during their lifetimes. To support people to live well with dementia and to raise awareness and understanding of the condition, Warwickshire County Council and partners have now achieved their initial target of creating 10,000 Dementia Friends in Warwickshire. Now that we have achieved our initial target, we are aiming to create 30,000 Dementia Friends across Warwickshire by 2019. Our local Dementia Friends will also contribute to the national target – to create 4 million Dementia Friends in England by 2020. Further information about Dementia Friends can be found at: www.dementiafriends.org.uk.