Community celebrates nine years helping those affected by dementia

Dozens of people flocked to a sold-out event last Thursday to celebrate the work of a community helping those affected by dementia.

The showcase was staged by the Bromley Dementia Friendly Community (BDFC), a team of dedicated volunteers which works with partner organisations to raise awareness of the support available across the borough.

Throughout the event, speeches were held focusing on BDFC’s work across the past nine years, led by keynote speaker Laura Cook, the clinical programme lead of Ageing Well and Clinical Networks at NHS England, London Region.

Representatives from the Young Onset Dementia Group gave a presentation on the condition from their own lived experiences whilst several examples of Brombley businesses and groups  which provide dementia friendly initiatives were shared. 

These included dementia chair exercises by MyTime Active and Memory Box Dementia Café, the Connections Café led by Quest Soul Theatre and Radfield Home Care and the monthly Bromley Dementia Friendly Community Networking Breakfast hosted by Thackray Williams LLP.

The Mayor of Bromley, Councillor Dr David Jefferys, was also in attendance and provided a closing speech.

Bromley Innovation Fund has supported the development of Bromley DFC’s work, including the group’s new website, which can be found at www.Bromleydfc.org.uk

Pictured top: From left, Lyn Eustace of Memory Box Dementia Cafe, Nicola Fishman BDFC Co-Chair and Age UK Bromley & Greenwich Community Engagement Officer, Angela Clayton-Turner, Brenda Parsons and Nima Stepney of BDFC, Mayoress of Bromley Anne-Marie Jeffreys, Mayor of Bromley Councillor Dr David Jefferys, Ann Wilbourn of BDFC (Picture: BDFC)