GMB Reachout Project Worker, Joanne Phillips became a Dementia Friend in late 2012 and a Dementia Champion in 2019. Since completing her training she has been supporting GMB members by delivering workplace and community based workshop sessions.
The Dementia Friends scheme aims to increase understanding of dementia and inspire people to take action to support people who are affected by dementia in their community or workplace. The programme is led by the Alzheimer’s Society as a strand of its work to create “Dementia Friendly Communities” which are more understanding and inclusive of people affected by dementia.
Joanne’s Nana was diagnosed with Dementia in 2011 Joanne quickly realised she has very little understanding of the behaviours her Nana was displaying as a result. It was around this time that Joanne came across Dementia Friends.
“When I heard about the Dementia Friends scheme, I immediately signed up as I wanted to understand why my Nana has lost all her sequencing, was not able to judge distances and could not remember what she had for her tea the previously night but could tell me about her school days.”
“I attended the 1-hour session to become a Dementia Friend and found it really informative. The bookcase analogy that was used, really helped me to understand how my Nana’s memory was being affected by dementia.”
Following on from becoming a dementia friend, Joanne wanted to commit to an action and therefore made the decision to become a Dementia Champion. A Dementia Friends Champion is a volunteer who encourages others to become a Dementia Friend in order to make a positive difference to people living with dementia in their workplace or community.
Using the links that GMB Reachout have within workplaces and local communities, Joanne now delivers Dementia Friends information sessions across the region, in the hope of creating more dementia friends and making more communities and workplaces dementia friendly.
Due to the situation with the current pandemic, these face to face sessions have now switched to online webinars for all to attend.
We have a number of webinars scheduled over the next few weeks. Please find the links below should you wish to sign up to attend. Places must be booked.
For more information please contact Joanne on 0161 877 9439 or email jo@gmbreachout.org.uk
A Blog by GMB Reach Out 