Dementia Friendly Purbeck

The long established dementia communities in Purbeck (Swanage & District Dementia Friendly Community and Dementia Friendly Purbeck – formerly Wareham & District Dementia Friendly Community) decided to merge to be one organisation supporting people living with dementia and their carers throughout Purbeck. The combined group opted to use the name Dementia Friendly Purbeck and Mike Bonfield agreed to be the Chairman. An event to launch the combined group was held in Swanage on 24 March 2023 attended by the Mayors of Swanage and Wareham, key professionals, carers and members of the public.

Greatest Achievement To Date

Due to phenomenal community support raising money, working with Dorset Healthcare Trust and Dementia UK, we secured the first community Admiral Nurse for Purbeck (Dementia equivalent of a cancer care nurse).

What Next?

Dr Hildo Hayo, Chief Executive, Dementia UK has seeks to double the number of Admiral Nurses and appealed for ‘urgent investment’ from the Government. We are planning to meet with local reps from Dementia UK to discuss what options there are to increase cover in Purbeck.

What Else Are We Up To?

Starting on Friday 9 June, we will have a gazebo at the Swanage market; first Friday in the month from 8 to 12-ish, weather permitting. We are there to promote ourselves, give out general information about dementia i.e. Booklets and information sheets, also news about our Admiral nurse and activities available in our area. It’s very informal, a chance to chat.

We have a prize winning allotment in Bestwalls Wareham, a quiet tranquil place for reflection. We’re seeking support to maintain the plot for people living with dementia.

Making Memories: this is a drop in centre in the Mowlem, Swanage. We support a similar group run by Age UK at the Wareham and Swanage Rugby Club every Monday morning.

We also support an established singing group in Swanage (see poster) and helping to set up therapeutic singing sessions at Wareham Plus.

By joining the Happiness Programme we have the use of an interactive projector which is available for use in the day centres, the meeting groups and youth groups.

We’re committed to entering floats in the Wareham and Swanage Carnivals. We also have stalls at the Wareham Carnival, the Purbeck Rally and other local shows/events.

More Information

Contact: dfpurbeck@icloud.com

Website: https://en-gb.facebook.com/dementiafriendlypurbeck/