This week my staff and I took some time out from our schedules to listen to a presentation by a representative of The Alzheimer’s Society who spoke to us broadly about dementia and more specifically about the Dementia Friends Programme which has been very successful in spreading awareness of the disease and what it means to live with it.
As a result of this meeting we officially became ‘Dementia Friends’ – people who have learned more about dementia and will transform this understanding into practical action. There are now over one million Dementia Friends across England and Wales, who are going out into their communities with a greater understanding of dementia and some of the ways they can help people living with the condition. From being more patient in shop queues, to volunteering, to campaigning for change, Dementia Friends are helping to create communities in which people living with dementia feel more understood and included.
This is a really positive campaign which effectively and efficiently presents a lot of useful information and prompts us to think about what more we can do as individuals to ensure that those around us living with dementia (often it may not be obvious who these people are) are as confident and able as possible to live with their condition as happily and independently as possible.
Anyone wishing to learn more about this programme or find out what they can do to help should visit https://www.dementiafriends.org.uk/
Correspondence
Parliament is currently on Recess for the summer but MPs are still busy replying to constituents who are contacting the office via post or email.
This week, Paul has been contacted regarding a wide range of issues, including: the Assisted Dying Bill, CCTV in slaughterhouses, medicine for MS, availability of broadband, an immigration case, Gatwick Airport and amending the Hunting Act.