TANWORTH-IN-ARDEN Cub Scouts have become Dementia Friends

TANWORTH-IN-ARDEN Cub Scouts have become Dementia Friends recently as part of their A Million Hands project.

The Friends scheme is a social movement launched by Alzheimer's Society to raise awareness about dementia that involves people undertaking a one-hour information session about dementia and committing to a dementia-friendly action.

The session aimed to inform the cubs about dementia and inspire them to think of new ways in which they can support people affected by the condition.

They learned about the differences between dementia and Alzheimer's disease, heard examples of how it affects people and thought about how they could turn this new understanding into action. Seventeen Cubs aged between eight and ten years old were at the one-hour session on Tuesday, 23rd January, led by Dementia Friends champion, Nigel Campbell. Rob Pain, assistant Cub Scout leader, said: "It was clear that the Cubs had not only learnt a lot in a short space of time but were more
determined to help those affected by dementia. I would recommend running a Dementia Friends session to all Scout Sections that have chosen to focus on dementia for their A Million Hands project." The NHS estimates that there are 3,943 people over 65 living with dementia in south Warwickshire and the condition affects many more people through carers, family members and colleagues being exposed to the condition.

See www.dementiafriends.org.uk