Spreading the word wins more friends

Dementia Friends Awareness session at the Honeywell Centre, Hathershaw. Back l-r, Gaynah Butler (Gtr. M/c., Lancs. and South Cumbria Strategic Clinical Network and Senate), Mohammed Sawar (ceo MAMC), Sue Neilson (dementia co-ordinator NHS Oldham CCG), Tahmena Khan (Housing 21 outreach support worker). Front l-r, Asghar Ali, Josephine Igho (Alzheimer's Society), Sultana Begum (Housing 21 outreach support worker).

OLDHAM is well on its way to becoming a dementia friendly community after the success of another session aiming to raise awareness of the disease.

Residents dropped in to the Honeywell Centre, Hadfield Street, to learn more about dementia and what they can do to improve the lives of those diagnosed with the disease.

The event was organised by the Multicultural Arts and Media Centre (MAMC), a charity which works with disadvantaged groups to provide health awareness events and arts-based activities.

Visitors were invited to take part in a Dementia Friends session as well as listen to the experiences of a person who is currently living with dementia.

MAMC chief executive Mohammed Sawar then explained how arts therapy can help people living with dementia before inviting questions from the audience.