Local NHS Trust organises virtual Dementia Awareness Week in support of World Alzheimer’s Month (September 2020)

World Alzheimer's Month is observed in September every year. The aim of this awareness month is to unite opinion leaders, people with dementia, their carers and family, medical professionals, researchers and the media from all around the world.

The Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust, based on a geographical patch from Willerby to Whitby, establish and take part in a number of dementia research projects. As such, the Trust notes the importance of this month in spreading awareness and bringing people together in their shared goal of promoting dementia as a serious health issue which is deserved of global action.

Kathryn Gilgallon, Senior Research Assistant at Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust, said:

“We’re thrilled to announce our Dementia Awareness Week programme and the important message that it stands for. Research in health and social care has the ability to change lives, and our dedicated Research and Development team are committed to encouraging others to get involved in studies for dementia.”

To promote the significant messages of World Alzheimer’s Month, the Trust is hosting a week-long programme of virtual events called ‘Humber’s Dementia Awareness Week’, which aims to increase awareness and show support for those living with dementia. The programme is open to both internal members of the Trust and the external public, and includes the following virtual events:

An introduction to Dementia Awareness Week and an opportunity to join the Dementia Diagnosis and Post Diagnosis Pathway Development Group

Monday 21^st September, 12:00 – 12:45

Hosted by Jean Hart, Patient and Carers’ Champion and Alison Couch, Operational Service Manager at Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust

How to live well with dementia

Tuesday 22^nd September, 13:00 – 13:30

Hosted by Lucy Wood, Occupational Therapist, and Chantelle Cowan, Care Worker, at Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust

Supporting families living with dementia

Wednesday 23^rd September, 11:00 – 11:30

Hosted by June Cooke, Butterflies Memory Loss Support Group

Living with dementia: the beginning of a different life

Thursday 24^th September, 10:00 – 10:30

Hosted by Wendy Mitchell, Author of the Sunday Times bestseller ‘Somebody I Used To Know’

Humber’s Research and Development Team

Thursday 24^th September, 13:00 – 13:30

Hosted by Kathryn Gilgallon, Senior Research Assistant at Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust

Living with dementia: a service user, family and volunteer perspective

Friday 25^th September, 13:00 – 13:30

Hosted by Sharon Nobbs, Volunteer Coordinator at Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust

All of the events outlined in the programme above are free to attend, open to all and hosted virtually on Microsoft Teams. To join these events, simply email hnf-tr.patientandcarerexperience@nhs.net and request the relevant links.