Year 7 Dementia Friends

During their first half term at Hatch End High School, 7MMH were the first Year 7 group working with Miss Le Fleurier and Miss Randell during ECC Learning about Dementia.

For the first session, the group became 'Dementia Friends' and became the first students in the school to be awarded badges from the Alzheimer's Society.

A 'Dementia Friend' is someone who has an awareness about Dementia by understanding the 5 key messages:

1. Dementia is not a natural part of aging.

2. Dementia is caused by disease of the brain.

3. Dementia is not just about losing your memory.

4. It is possible to live well with dementia.

5. There is more to the person than the dementia.

'Dementia Friends' must also commit to a 'Dementia Friendly Action'.

The group came up with some lovely ideas and worked together to complete some of these actions. Ideas included working on posters and an assembly to raise awareness, alongside promising to be kind and understanding to people we know with Dementia.

Miss Le Fleurier and Miss Randell were really impressed with how sensible and respectful 7MMH have been throughout the sessions. 

The Alzheimer's Society estimates that around 850,000 people in the UK are currently living with Dementia and this number is projected to rise to 1.6 million by 2040. The 'Dementia Friends' initiative aims to change the way we think, act and talk about the condition, so that people living with Dementia are understood and supported.

You can find out more about Dementia and even become a Dementia Friend like us here: www.dementiafriends.org.uk

Article by Miss Randell (Communication Support Worker, Hearing Impaired Provision)