This year ‘ACTION’ is the main focus for Dementia Awareness.
There are now over 1700 Dementia Friends in Aylesbury including our Outdoor Team, and we are continuing to reduce the stigma associated with Dementia by delivering information sessions and promoting the Aylesbury Town Dementia Action Alliance which now has over 25 members including local solicitors Pickup & Scott, Thames Valley Police and MetroBank.
During ACTION week, there will be lots of activities taking place in the Parish including a Forget-me-not display in Friars Square from our intergenerational Care Home Tour as part of the “Who am I?” project, and coffee mornings at the Coffee Bean in Bedgrove and at the More+ Community Café in Broughton to name but a few ways the community is taking action to become Dementia Friendly.
As part of the Aylesbury Town Dementia Action Alliance, the Town Council in partnership with the Waterside Theatre and Bucks CCG are hosting a workshop and performance (delivered by VAMOS theatre) which focuses on positive and effective non-verbal communication for people living with Dementia. Our Dementia Champion will be inviting delegates to attend this event during Dementia ACTION Week.
The free Listening with Your Eyes workshop will take place in September at the Theatre, and is aimed at businesses and service providers to strengthen a ‘holding hands’ approach to our town by illustrating how a local café can help reduce isolation by being part of the coffee companion initiative; to the local Waste Services department promoting recycling options for people with Dementia or the elderly. These simple actions are examples of some of the positive changes already happening in Aylesbury.
November sees the production of Finding Joy at the Waterside Theatre. The play approaches the subject of Dementia with humour and humanity telling the story of 83 year-old Joy, and her grandson.
The Town Council is pleased to promote the key message to our residents and community that “There’s More to the person than the Dementia”