Volunteers are currently being sought from across Anglesey to help run a new service that supports people with dementia to keep doing the things they love.
The Side by Side service which is currently being rolled out by the Alzheimer's Society across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, aims to tackle the isolation and loneliness people with dementia too often encounter.
Volunteers work on a one to one basis helping people to get out and about, do activities they enjoy, perhaps join a new club or social group, stay active, and remain connected to the local community.
It’s great to have this wonderful service come to Anglesey. We hope it will enable people with dementia to lead more fulfilling lives and to continue to take part in the activities that they have always enjoyed and try new ones.
There are currently 1,189 people living with dementia in Anglesey. We need more volunteers to enable us to reach people with dementia and help them to stay connected in that difficult time following a diagnosis.
Volunteers are crucial to the success of this service and can range from providing support once a week to once a fortnight at a time that works for the volunteer and person with dementia.
It might be taking a walk in the park, a visit to a café or a chat over the phone, sounds simple, but it can make a huge difference to someone’s life.
Engagement and Involvement Officer, Side by Side
A survey by Alzheimer’s Society found 40% of people with dementia across the UK have reported feeling lonely. The charity says there is strong evidence that being happy in life is positively related to levels of activity.
Social activity and social support are thought to be directly related to better physical and cognitive function and help slow down the rate of decline.
If you'd like to find out more about volunteering for the Side by Side service in Anglesey, click here to visit the Alzheimer's Society website or contact Anna Bixby or Hayley Wood on 01248 671 125.
To find out more about the Side by Side service across the UK , click the link here to visit the Alzheimer's Society website
Source: ITV News 11/5/16
