Dementia is a progressive disease of the brain and currently over 850,000 people in the UK are living with the condition, and this is predicted to increase to over a million by 2025. Dementia is not a consequence of growing old but the risk of having dementia increases with age. Most people who are affected by dementia are over 65, but there are many people younger than this. The term dementia covers many diseases, the most well-known and commonest being Alzheimer's disease. Dementia affects not only the person living with dementia, but also those around them and in the wider community 

Following recognition, in May 2017, as a Dementia Friendly Organisation, the Yeo Valley Lions Club has worked closely with the Dorset and Somerset Locality of the Alzheimer’s Society to help to develop services to support people living with Dementia and there carers and families in the Yeo Valley Area. 

The Yeo Valley Lions sponsors an Information Hub/Café in Wrington, which has been operating successfully in the Reading Room on the first Tuesday of the month from 10 am to noon. Since it was established in July 2017, the Wrington Hub has met regularly and, in addition to the provision of information and the very popular memory exercises, has arranged several events sponsored by Yeo Valley Lions. Events included Singing for the Brain, various arts and craft sessions, visits to stimulate the brain and information giving sessions (SCAMS, safety etc.). The programme for the Hub is devised with input from those who attend. Details of the event schedule is included below. 

Since January 2019, again through financial support from Yeo Valley Lions, the Yatton Coffee Morning relocated to Yatton Youth Club where it meets as a drop in cafe on the last Tuesday of the month from 10.30 am to noon. This is an informal group with input from the Alzheimer’s Society and supported by Yatton Youth Club. 

The Wrington Hub and Yatton Coffee Morning will continue to be supported by Yeo Valley Lions in 2020. 

Discussions have been taking place with the Alzheimer’s Society regarding a much larger project to support families living with Dementia. The Yeo Valley Lions are pleased to announce that we will be launching, with the Alzheimer’s Society, an exciting new initiative early 2020. We will finance and support twice monthly ‘Singing for the Brain’ sessions. Initially a pilot project will start in January in Wrington and, if successful, a longer term project will follow. More information on this will be available soon here. 

If you are worried about your memory or have had a diagnosis of Dementia, or someone you know is affected by Dementia, please come along to the Information Hub/Café for support and advice or drop into the Yatton Coffee Morning. You don’t have to be a resident of Wrington or Yatton to come to either of these two groups. 

For details, call Helen Harvey-Foster Alzheimer’s Society - Dementia Support Worker on 07740456706.