Rye now has three champions, all trained by the Alzheimer’s Society to deliver dementia awareness sessions to the public, making them dementia friends. I am a retired health trainer and Colin Stack and Dawn Jobling both live and work in Rye.
All three champions are part of the Rye & District Dementia Action Alliance, formed during National Dementia Awareness week in May this year. The Rye & District Dementia Action Alliance aims are to transform the quality of life of people living with dementia and their carers, by establishing Rye & District as a dementia friendly community.
The group has four objectives.
1. To increase awareness and understanding of dementia through awareness sessions run by champions
2. To breakdown barriers and help reduce stigma
3. To support the development of a role for people with dementia and their carers
4. To establish “community support” involving local businesses, statutory and voluntary organisations and community groups.
The champions will be rolling out a programme of Dementia Awareness sessions from mid January through to the end of April, taking advantage of the quieter months, before the tourist season starts. One of the aims is to help train up shops and businesses and customer-facing staff. A sticker can then be put in their windows saying “working towards becoming a Dementia friendly community”.
The champions working with the Alzheimer’s Society are encouraging everyone nationwide to become a Dementia Friend. For example we strongly encourage everyone to stop using the words “suffering from”, instead use the words “living with dementia”. Just having a little more understanding can make such a difference.
The champions will eventually be running awareness sessions throughout the district incorporating Beckley, Bodiam, Brede, Broad Oak, Camber, East Guldeford, Ewhurst, Fairlight, Guestling, Icklesham, Iden, Northiam, Peasmarsh, Pett, Playden, Rye Foreign, Rye Harbour, Sedlescombe, Udimore, Westfield, Whatlington and Winchelsea Beach.
If you would like to contact the Rye & District Dementia Action Alliance please email rddaa@outlook.com
Daliea Redman is the Chair of the Rye & District Dementia Action Alliance