This September is World Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, a time when people from all over the world unite to raise awareness and to challenge the stigma that persists around Alzheimer’s disease and all types of dementia.

Sadly, we may all know of someone affected by or caring for a person with dementia – globally, there are nearly 50 million people living with dementia and, here in Wales, it’s estimated that there are nearly 47,000 older people suffering from the condition. As Wales’ population gets older, it’s estimated that dementia will become an increasing issue in our society.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia and it is an overall term for conditions that occur when the brain no longer functions as it should. Here in Flintshire, there are many organisations and events geared towards people with dementia and their carers and my team has put together a list of them, see below…

DEMENTIA-FRIENDLY EVENTS IN FLINTSHIRE

MEMORY CAFES AND EVENTS

Flint

Flint Catholic Church Hall – first Monday of the month, 1:30pm-3pm

Age Connects North East Wales coffee afternoon, Lewis House, Swan Street, CH6 5BP – every Monday, 1:30pm-3.30pm

Holywell

Bagillt Boot & Ship Pub – fourth Friday of the month, 12:15pm-2:30pm
Contact Sue on 07757 411044

Holywell Singalong, St Peter’s Church – second Tuesday of the month, 10am-12pm
Contact Sue on 07757 411044

Mold

Singing for the Brain, Mold Library – third Thursday of the month, 10:30am-12pm
To book call Heather on 01244 735201

Memory Arts Cafe, St David’s Building, Daniel Owen Square – last Monday of the month, 1pm-3pm
Call Hester on 07824 446367

Like Minded dementia support group, Mold Rugby Club – every Wedndesday, 10am-12pm
Contact outsidelivesltd@gmail.com

Greenfield

NEWCIS Afternoon Tea, Greenfield Valley Heritage Centre – Friday, September 9, 12pm
Cost around £10 per person

Leeswood

Sunshine Community Cafe – every Thursday, 10:30am-12:30pm

Northop

Dancing with Dementia, Edith Bankes Memorial Hall – every third Thursday of the month, 2:30pm-3:30pm
Phone 07521 377945

HELP & ADVICE

Carers’ Trust North Wales

Carers’ Trust North Wales run various dementia centres… find out more at www.nwcrossroads.org.uk/our-services/memory-support-pathway—dementia-centres. You can also call 01492 542212 for a chat, for information or to find out where your local centre is.

North Wales Dementia Network

North Wales Dementia Network is a Facebook group which publicises local events and information- www.facebook.com/groups/nwdemnetwork.

Dewis Cymru

Dewis Cymru is a website that helps people find information about organisations and services that can help them take control of their own wellbeing – visit www.dewis.wales.

Alzheimer’s Society Cymru

Alzheimer’s Society Cymru has lots of information about community groups and events – visit www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-us/wales.

Dementia Connect

Dementia Connect is Alzheimer’s Society’s personalised support and advice service for anyone affected by dementia – call 0330 094 7400 or 0333 150 3456.

A Friendly Face

A Friendly Face is run by volunteers and offers help and advice for people newly diagnosed with dementia from someone else living with a diagnosis in North Wales. For details, email: friendlyfacewales@gmail.com.