Campaign hopes to see Oxfordshire become dementia friendly

People across Oxfordshire now have the opportunity to find out more about dementia, thanks to a series of free workshops.

People across Oxfordshire now have the opportunity to find out more about dementia, thanks to a series of free workshops.

The local award-winning provider of personal care in the home, Bluebird Care, has set itself the challenge of hosting Dementia Awareness Workshops in twenty-five different locations across the county over the next 12 months.

Managing Director of Bluebird Care Oxford, South & West Oxfordshire, Rob Mezo said:

“One in four people will be affected by dementia in their lifetimes, which is why it’s important to work with individuals and their families to try and make life much easier for those who live with it.

A recent report made recommendations to the government about the need to continue to raise awareness of dementia, and the work that can be done to make our communities more dementia friendly.

With the specialist services we provide at Bluebird Care we are determined to do just that with these new Dementia Awareness Sessions.”

Set up by the Alzheimer’s Society, Dementia Friends information sessions have been running across the country for several years and focus on improving inclusion and quality of life for people living with dementia. By holding information workshops in towns, villages and cities across the UK, the society’s ambition is to work with people affected by dementia and key partners to develop dementia-friendly communities.

By doing so people will be aware of and understand more about dementia, people with dementia and their careers will be encouraged to seek help and support; and people with dementia will feel included in their community.

Rob added: “The Bluebird Care team want to meet as many people as possible and make them aware of dementia, its affects and how we as a community can support those who live with it.”

• There are 850,000 people with dementia in the UK, with numbers set to rise to over 1 million by 2025. This will soar to 2 million by 2051.
• 225,000 will develop dementia this year, that’s one every three minutes.
• 1 in 6 people over the age of 80 have dementia.
• 70 per cent of people in care homes have dementia or severe memory problems.
• There are over 40,000 people under 65 with dementia in the UK.
• More than 25,000 people from black, Asian and minority ethnic groups in the UK are affected.

Are you part of a community group, work with a housing provider, school or social club, or an individual who just wants to find out more about dementia? Would you like Bluebird Care to host a Dementia Awareness Workshop for you? If so, get in touch.

Bluebird Care can visit you in your workplace, or you can visit the Bluebird Care offices in Wallingford or Witney where the workshops can be held.

For more information and to arrange a dementia awareness workshop in your area contact Nathan Hartley by emailing marketingoxon@bluebirdcare.co.uk