MIDDLESBROUGH – a recognised dementia friendly town – is hosting a week of events to further enhance understanding of the condition.
The national Dementia Awareness Week is taking place from Sunday, May 14 to Saturday, May 20, with around a dozen events taking place in Middlesbrough, including a dementia friendly cinema screening, trip to Beamish, singing and dancing events and coffee mornings.
One of the key events during the week will be a business engagement event at Bar Zero on Linthorpe Road on Thursday, May 18 from 11am-4.30pm. To get more Businesses signed up to the dementia friendly Middlesbrough project.
A major part of Middlesbrough being officially recognised as a dementia friendly town was the involvement of local businesses in undertaking training around the issue and working towards the ‘6 steps to becoming a dementia friendly Business’ and over 70 have committed so far.
At an event last year 25 businesses were recognised by Middlesbrough Mayor Dave Budd for their commitment to working towards a dementia friendly community and the aim is to have as many businesses as possible joining forces to support the issue.
Middlesbrough Council has also recently opened a quiet room at Middlesbrough Bus Station where people with dementia and their carers can take time out.
Mr Budd said: “Raising awareness of dementia and tackling the issues around it is one of my chief priorities as Elected Mayor.
“This week is a brilliant opportunity for people with dementia and their carers to discover more about the help and support that is available, but also for businesses and the wider public to further understand their own role in making our society more inclusive for all.”
The full list of events taking place locally is:
Sunday 14th May
Ormesby Sports Village, Dementia Friendly activities including new age bowls, a guided walk and chair based exercise 10 – 1pm
Monday 15th May
Cineworld Dementia Friendly Screening (The King and I) 11am (Doors Open at 10.30am)
Dementia books on prescription promotion – Central Library 2.30pm
Tuesday 16th May
Dundas Arcade Advice and Information Stalls and street performance (Busking) performed by Lesley Tart and Trish Mclean 10:00am – 4:00pm
Dementia Books on Prescription promotion at the Live Well Centre 10:00am
Wednesday 17th May
Dementia Friendly Businesses Celebration Event (Invite only) Jury’s Inn 10:00 – 14:00pm
The BIG SING, St Mary’s Acklam 14:30pm
Dementia Café and Book launch, Central Library, Middlesbrough 13:00 – 15:00pm
Thursday 18th May
Sanctuary Dementia Advisor Service – Trip to Beamish Museum. 10am Call 01642 223 544 and speak to Lianne, Karen or Amy to book your place
Business Engagement Event, Bar Zero 11:00 – 14:30pm. Free forget me not cocktail and cupcake
Friday 19th May
Dementia Friendly Tour of Middlesbrough Football Club 10:30 – 11:30am
Carers Together Coffee Mornings and afternoons, Grove Hill Methodist Church times 1:00pm to 3:00pm
World Largest Waltz Record Breaker, Saltburn Pier. 10:00am
Dementia Friendly Middlesbrough can be contacted on 01642 611110, email browcroft@clevearc.com or via www.dementiafriendlymiddlesbrough.co.uk
Further information on events taking place is available via www.lovemiddlesbrough.com/dementia