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Watford Memory Support Centre proves huge success with local dementia community

17 May 22

This week is Dementia Action Week, a campaign run by the Alzheimer's Society which encourages individuals and organisations across the UK to "act on dementia". This year's theme is diagnosis. 

A new centre supporting those suffering with dementia and their carers has been launched in Watford. 

The Watford Memory Support Centre is now up and running as part of Watford Borough Council’s ‘Dementia Friendly Watford’ initiative, in partnership with Hertfordshire Partnership University Foundation NHS Trust (HPFT), Watford FC CSE Trust and a range of community organisations*.

The centre aims to help those who have been recently diagnosed with dementia and to promote the services, support and information that’s available.

The first round of support sessions proved to be a huge success with attendees, allowing those living with dementia and their carers to talk freely about their shared experiences.

Specialists were on-hand, including HPFT Principal Pharmacist Lesley Bodell, discussing the medical aspect of the condition and representatives from the Alzheimer’s Society, Carers in Herts, Peace Hospice and local groups such as CathARTic and Hertwise. Attendees were also treated to music from Electric Umbrella and Herts Musical Memories.

Dr Rahul Tomar, Consultant Psychiatrist, Early Memory Diagnosis and Support Service at the HPFT, said “It is fantastic that we can offer people a safe place to meet with others and professionals to learn about dementia and form peer support. It’s really important people don’t feel alone or isolated when dealing with a dementia diagnosis so offering this support will help ease what can be a daunting time.”

Hannah Foster, Older Projects Officer at Watford Borough Council, said: “After listening to the hundreds of people effected by dementia in our town, we recognised the need for the Watford Memory Support Centre. We are delighted with the feedback from the first session has been so positive. We hope that with the strong partnerships we have created will allow us to replicated the centre across the county.”

For more information, please visit: dementiafriendlywatford.com/support  

*The Watford Memory Support Centre would not have been possible without the collaboration from specialists and community organisations:

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