Romney Scout Group become Dementia Friends

Local Dementia Ambassador, Suzi Finch, worked with Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers and Leaders from 1^st New Romney Scout Group on their journey to become Dementia Friends.

The aim of these sessions is to raise awareness about what it is like to live with dementia and how we can all contribute to make our communities more dementia friendly.

Suzi delivered the information in a fun and exciting way, promoting discussion and involving practical work to make sure the youngsters understood the messages and myths surrounding Dementia. Youngsters learnt that Dementia is an umbrella term for diseases affecting the brain. It is a progressive condition, which gradually gets worse over time and one of the greatest health challenges of our time, with 1 in 14 people over the age of 65, likely to be affected. We all learnt how we can all help those sufferers to live their best life.

Creating a Dementia Friendly Generation is a national Alzheimer’s Society initiative to change the way people think, act and talk about dementia. A Dementia Friend is somebody that learns more about dementia and takes action to support people affected by the condition in their community. The sessions were both thoughtful and thought provoking. Those who completed the activities were invited to contribute ideas and choose if they would like to become Dementia Friends. Some of their ideas included: Treating people how you would like to be treated; Being kind, ask if you can help; Smile and talk: Make them laugh.

The new Dementia Friends, ranging in age from 5 – 18 (plus the Leaders!!) were awarded Forget-Me-Not badges to recognise their achievement. Penny, Beaver Leader, commented how proud she was of all them all – blazing the way for our local community and supporting a worthy community need.

The Challenge now sits with you – Could you follow the youngsters’ example and become a Dementia Friend? Our local community needs you…

Dementia Awareness Training is available, free of charge, to everyone in our local community – local councils; businesses; interest groups; youth groups; schools; community groups; WI; Man Shed… Training takes approx. 1 hour.

For further information please contact Suzi Finch at Romney Marsh Community Hub on 01797 363888 or email [email protected]

1^st New Romney Scout Group offers education, fun and adventure for all youngsters of all ages and adults. Whatever skill, talent or knowledge you have your local Scout Group can use it – don’t miss out, be part of the fun.