A conference to explore dementia and its impact has been staged by a church in Nantwich.
The Dementia Awareness day was hosted by Nantwich Elim Church, and delivered by dementia champion Catherine Mills at the Olive Grove Conference Centre in Regents Park.
Church members, their friends and family, local business and neighbours of the site all attended.
There were interactive activities and anecdotes, which explored perceptions of dementia, the people living with the condition and the effect on those close to them.
Nantwich Elim Church has teamed up with “WellKin – Dance, Health and WellBeing” to create the social initiative “Circle of Friends”.
This aims to offer therapeutic and pastoral support to people living with dementia and their loved ones.
Nantwich Elim Church’s senior pastor Michelle Nunn, said: “Our aim is to make Regents Park a dementia-friendly site.
“It was great to get together with other community members to learn about dementia and become dementia friends.
“All too often those living with dementia find themselves isolated from family, friends and community.
“It is our hope we can make a difference for those people by providing a safe place to come, make new friends and share an afternoon each week.
“We encourage anyone who also wants to make a difference to contact us and get involved.”
“Circle of Friends” comprises Moving Together, which adapted circle dancing, and Connections Café, where they relax over refreshments.
Shirley Brocklehurst, a dance movement psychotherapist, who leads Moving Together, said: “There is a substantial body of research regarding the promotion of physical, mental and emotional wellbeing through movement.
“For older people and those with dementia the opportunity to engage in a group activity promotes re-attachment and sensory stimulation such as sound, rhythm and touch contribute to the sense of personhood.”
“Circle of Friends” will be held on Tuesday afternoons from September.
Anyone interested in attending can call 01270 626 749 for information.
Recent Comments