World Alzheimer’s Day – get involved!

Published Friday, 17th September 2021

A series of events and activities will take place in Hartlepool to mark World Alzheimer’s Day and local people are encouraged to get involved.

World Alzheimer’s Day falls annually on September 21st, and a range of organisations, including Hartlepool Borough Council, The Hospital of God at Greatham, and Groundwork, are coming together to mark the occasion.

They are joining forces under the banner of Dementia Friendly Hartlepool which aims to develop and promote the town as a nationally-recognised dementia-friendly community.

Hannah Robertson, Co-ordinator of Dementia Friendly Hartlepool, said: “There’s some great work going on in Hartlepool to raise awareness of dementia and to make the town a better place for people living with the disease and their families.

“I hope people will take the opportunity to come along and find out more about dementia and maybe get involved in Dementia Friendly Hartlepool.”

Local people are invited to take part in an Exploring Dementia Trail from 1-3pm on Tuesday (September 21st) at Ward Jackson Park. Suitable for all ages, the short trail involves finding a number of marker points where information on dementia will be provided. Anyone wishing to participate should meet at the Place in the Park café.

Running alongside the walk, dementia awareness sessions lasting around 20 minutes will be taking place to give people a greater understanding of dementia and how it can affect someone.

There will also be an opportunity to plant daffodils in the park.

In addition, visitors to the park will be able to enjoy live music provided by the charity Music in Hospitals and Care from 1.30-2.30pm. There will be Elly the Elephant dementia awareness sessions in Hartlepool Borough Council’s Community Hub Central in York Road on Monday (September 20th) from 10-11am and from 1-2pm and again on Thursday (September 23rd) at 10.30am and 11.30am. No booking is required.

The Bridge dementia support service in Villiers Street which is run by the Hospital of God will be hosting a coffee morning at 10.30am on Wednesday (September 22nd). Call (01429) 868587 to book. Dementia awareness sessions will take place at 2pm on Thursday (September 23rd). The Bridge and the Council’s Community Hubs will be staging a virtual afternoon tea and quiz at 2pm on Friday (September 24th).

All activities throughout the week are free of charge. Contact The Bridge for more information.

To find out more about Dementia Friendly Hartlepool go to https://www.hartlepoolnow.co.uk/pages/home/dementia-friendly-hartlepool