Council supports Dementia Action Week

Dementia Action Week, which runs from 20-26 May, is an annual national campaign designed to highlight and improve people’s understanding of dementia, as well as the help and support available to people living with the condition and their loved ones.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council is supporting this campaign, helping to improve understanding and raise awareness of a condition which affects thousands of people in the East Riding today, as well as countless others in terms of friends, family and carers.

Dementia is quickly becoming one of the most feared medical conditions and, as a result of this, people are less likely to go to their GP when they think something is wrong.

Dementia describes a set of symptoms that may include memory loss and difficulties with thinking, problem-solving or language, which is bad enough to affect daily life. Other signs and symptoms can include changes in mood, loss of interest in hobbies and socialising, confusion, sight and hearing loss and sleep disturbances. However each person will experience dementia differently and the symptoms will depend on the areas of the brain affected.

As part of the national week, the council is raising awareness of the sessions and activities that are available in the East Riding for people living with dementia.

Councillor Jonathan Owen, portfolio holder for public health at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “As a local authority we are proud to support this campaign and all partner organisations involved with the events taking place across the East Riding.

“The sessions and events are a great way to find out more about dementia which affects thousands of people living in the East Riding.

“It is more important than ever before that we all play our part in helping to build dementia friendly communities for the future.”

Dementia Friendly sessions and events:

Hessle Dementia Friendly Community has achieved recognition for their hard work and will be holding a stand at the co-op in Hessle during Dementia Action Week to provide information about the Dementia Friendly Community and the Alzheimer’s Society in general. Please visit the Dementia Friends website for more information.

Health and social care students from Bishop Burton College will be receiving a Dementia Friends session at the Old School House in Beverley on Thursday, 23 May at 1pm. Students and members of the public are welcome to attend.

A “Bill and Ben” Memory Walk has been launched at Sewerby Hall and Gardens after East Riding of Yorkshire Council partnered with local charity, Dementia Friendly East Riding, to design and construct a uniquely-themed Memory Walk for the public to enjoy this summer. For further news and information visit sewerbyhall.co.uk

The East Riding CCG will hold a Dementia Friends training sessions at Health House, Willerby, on Monday, 20 May for staff and members of the public. Please visit the Dementia Friends website for more details

Driffield Fire Station will be holding Dementia Friends sessions on Tuesday, 21 May and Wednesday, 22 May at 7pm for staff and members of the community. For all Dementia Friends sessions during Dementia Action Week visit dementiafriends.org.uk

Other events and activities:

East Riding Mobile Library events

Monday, 20 May

Nafferton - Westgate, nr All Saint's Church - 1-5pm
Paull - Rosegarth Bungalows Back Lane – 9.20-10am
Easington – The Square – 10.40-11.40am
Burton Pidsea – Memorial Hall, Back Lane – 1.15-1.55pm
Burstwick – Primary School, Main Street – 2.05-4.05pm

Tuesday, 21 May

Keyingham – Ship Inn car park, Saltaugh Road – 10am-5pm

Wednesday, 22 May

Welton – Park Road/St Helens Road – 9.30-10am
South Dalton – 10 Main Street – 10.40-11.05am
Lund – The Wellington Inn, The Green – 11.15am-12.15pm
Kilnwick – Main Street, School Lane – 1.30-2pm
Lockington – School Farm, Front Street – 2.10-2.40pm
Aike – Aqua Centre, Grange Farm – 2.55-3.15pm
Leconfield – Percy Close, St Catherine’s Drive – 3.30-4pm

Thursday, 23 May

Walkington – East End – 1.50-4.20pm

Friday, 24 May

Skipsea – Village Green, Main Street – 9.45-10.10am
Atwick – The Green, Church Lane – 10.20-10.40am
Mappleton – The Old Post Office, Cliff Lane – 10.55-11.15am
Aldbrough – Methodist Church, High Street – 11.25-11.50am
Garton – Treatment Works, Back Lane – 1-1.20pm
Withernwick – Vernon House, Main Street – 1.30-2pm
Sigglesthorne – East Lane opposite Bentinck Lane – 2.15-2.45pm
Long Riston – Nr School, Main Street – 3-3.45pm

Information stall event

A dementia information stall event will take place in the Co-op in Hessle Square on Thursday, 23 May from 10am-2.30pm. The stall will have information about what the Dementia Friendly Hessle group are trying to achieve in the town as well as the creation of the dementia-friendly community at a local level.

Jo Bateson and Eszter Pontone have spent the last few months trying to kickstart the creation of a dementia-friendly community in Hessle. When asked about the initiative they said: “We are both volunteers at the monthly Alzheimer's Society Activity Group in Hessle and Jo's Mum has lived with dementia for a number of years. Hessle is a lovely town and we felt the creation of a dementia-friendly community would benefit Hessle as a whole. We wanted to raise awareness of the condition and how we can all make a difference, however small, to enable people with dementia to live well in their communities for longer.”

Chatty Café

A relaxed and friendly drop-in event with a free tea or coffee, open to everybody, not just those living with Dementia. There will be lots of interactive exhibits, a chance to meet our friendly staff and ask about our monthly reminiscence sessions and other regular activities held at the Driffield Centre. The event takes place on Wednesday, 22 May from 1.30-3.30pm.

Reminiscence groups

Members of the public can come along free of charge to a Reminiscence Group at their local East Riding Library. Reminiscence is a fun social activity proven to be of benefit to those people who are living with Dementia.

To find your nearest reminiscence session visit www.eastriding.gov.uk/libraries

All East Riding Libraries staff are Dementia Friends. Are you? Visit www.dementiafriends.org.uk to find out how to become one too.

East Riding Libraries now offer Reminiscence in the Community and will bring person-centred Reminiscence with proven benefits to residential care home settings. For more information contact your local library.

Knit and Natter

Knit and Natter is a knitting group open for anyone to attend whether they are beginners or experienced knitters. Research has shown that knitting can help prevent and manage stress and pain.

Library knitting groups offer improved health and wellbeing and a lively group of new friends for all ages and abilities.

This activity is suitable for adults or any ability level. Please phone your local library for more information.

Adult Book Club

Reading can reduce stress by 68% and risk of dementia by 35%. Meet like-minded people and explore the fascinating world of literature. Suitable for all adults and ability levels, no need to book just come along. Visit your local library for more information.

Games Group

The group is open to all ages and you can meet new friends whilst playing a variety of board games. You can build your word power with Scrabble or flex your strategic muscles with chess. 
Our Game Compendiums include; Chess, Draughts, Ludo, Snakes and Ladders, Pick-up sticks, Yahtzee, Cards, Dominos and Halma.

Pension Wise

A Pension Wise session will take place on Wednesday, 22 May from 9.30am-6.30pm at Market Weighton Multi Service Centre which needs to be booked directly with Pension Wise. Please visit https://www.pensionwise.gov.uk/en to book a slot or for more information about pensions.