Be a friend indeed

Reporter: Lucy Kenderdine
Date published: 18 September 2014


The Chronicle is today urging readers to sign up to a new campaign that aims to raise awareness of dementia in the hope of creating a Dementia Friendly Oldham.

The newspaper is joining the Alzheimer’s Society, Oldham Council and Oldham Clinical Commissioning Group to promote the Dementia Friends campaign, which aims to improve everyone’s understanding of dementia and to encourage action to support those with the condition.

The campaign - originally launched by Public Health England and the Alzheimer’s Society in 2012 - aims to get a million people signed up as “Dementia Friends” by 2015.

Ahead of World Alzheimer’s Day on Sunday, a local target has been set to achieve 500 Friends in the borough by Christmas, with businesses, clubs and schools urged to take part in the short training course as soon as possible.

Around 1,700 Oldhamers are currently diagnosed as having dementia, though it is estimated the actual figure could be much higher as many will still be pre-diagnosis. The number of sufferers is predicted to rise by two thirds by 2030: statistics suggest one in three people over 65 will develop the condition.

Councillor Jenny Harrison, Oldham Council’s cabinet member for adult social care and public health, said: “It would be great to see, by Christmas, a large network of Dementia Friends who have a much better understanding of dementia.

“We want to get rid of this stigma that dementia is linked to old age — it isn’t. It is a disease of the brain: it is not a natural ageing process or simply about losing your memory.

“Having lots of Dementia Friends in Oldham will help people with dementia to carry on with activities and feel included in the community.

“Anyone can attend these sessions, so let’s all get involved to support those with dementia to lead the best possible life.”

Chronicle staff members have taken part in the Dementia Friends course and now the newspaper is encouraging other businesses and organisations to get involved.

Free Friends sessions for the coming months have already been organised - October 24 (10am), Room 4M, Development Academy, Oldham Civic Centre; and November 21 (10am), in the Function Room, 1st Floor, Oldham Link Centre, Union Street. Book a place by contacting Elaine Machin: elaine.machin@oldham.gov.uk.

More sessions are still to be arranged. Anyone, from members of the public to businesses, who wants to find out more about the campaign can contact Sue Neilson or Julie Eastham on 0161-622 6637 or 0161-622 6525 — or email: sue.neilson@nhs.net

More information is also available online at www.dementiafriends.org.uk