We recently organized a Dementia Awareness session for adults in West Berkshire in Pangbourne. The session included presentations from the Alzheimer’s Society and Age UK Berkshire to help learners become a Dementia Friend and understand how to support someone living with dementia.

All learners were provided with Dementia Friends badge and a booklet explaining how to audit and adapt their Village Hall or space to make it easier and more comfortable to navigate for those living with Dementia.

We emphasized five key messages during the session:
1. Dementia is not just about memory loss.
2. Dementia is not a normal part of ageing.
3. Dementia is caused by diseases of the brain.
4. People can still live well with dementia.
5. There is more to a person than the dementia

Learners found the session informative and useful.

One learner said, “I especially found useful the information Georgia, from the Alzheimer’s Society, shared on the difference between factual and emotional memories. It increased my understanding of the huge variances that people experience when they have dementia.”

Another learner said, “I found the tips for improving living spaces very useful.”

In the last academic year (Sept 23 – April 24), we delivered a range of courses specifically designed for volunteers and people involved in running community buildings and spaces. These courses included Key Policies for Your Community Building, Fundraising for Your Village Hall, Financial Planning & Budgeting, Low Carbon Roadshow, and How to Effectively Engage with Your Community.

We also delivered two courses with British Red Cross that supported people living and working in West Berks rural communities to ensure they can have greater confidence to help and support in an emergency situation and use a defibrillator if required.

We are now planning our delivery for 2024-25. If there are any courses that you feel would be particularly beneficial to your rural community, please get in touch with us. admin@ccberks.org.uk