[C]OPELAND Mayor Mike Starkie has joined forces with Age UK West Cumbria and Egremont school pupils to raise awareness of dementia.
Mr Starkie took part in a forget-me-not seed-planting event in the garden of the De Lucy Centre, Egremont, where he joined pupils from St Bridget’s School to help promote a more dementia-friendly community.
The event was organised by Age UK West Cumbria’s Community Connections Team as part of a range of activities and actions to support the Alzheimer’s Society’s national Dementia Action Week (May 21 to 27).
Mr Starkie said: “I was delighted to be asked by Age UK West Cumbria to attend this event to learn more about the great work they are doing to promote a dementia-friendly community.
“I enjoyed meeting the teachers and pupils of my former school, St Bridget’s, and I look forward to seeing the seeds we planted grow into a beautiful garden for all the users of the De Lucy Centre to enjoy.”
Christine Hunter-Hall, Copeland Community Connections Co-ordinator, said: “With one person every three minutes being diagnosed with dementia, it is really important that we build dementia-friendly communities.
“Recognition brings about understanding, and understanding brings about support to enable everyone to live well with dementia.”
Suzanne Smith, Headteacher at St Bridget’s, added: “The children thoroughly enjoyed planting forget-me-nots to raise awareness of dementia. It is wonderful to see them involved in such a positive project that builds bridges between generations!”
Other local Dementia Week events have included ‘Walk Down Memory Lane’ in Millom, a dementia-friendly tour of Muncaster Castle, an afternoon tea in Distington, and a drop-in session at Cleator Moor Library.
