New dementia support group in Alford offers vital lifeline

A coffee morning in Alford is providing a welcome break for the carers of residents with dementia '“ and a social outing for sufferers who benefit from knowing they are not alone.
A new Dementia Support Group has started in Alford. Pictured are volunteers and guests at the first meeting. ANL-160302-162542001A new Dementia Support Group has started in Alford. Pictured are volunteers and guests at the first meeting. ANL-160302-162542001
A new Dementia Support Group has started in Alford. Pictured are volunteers and guests at the first meeting. ANL-160302-162542001

The first meeting of the Alford Dementia Support Group took place at the War Memorial Hall on Wednesday.

Twelve people who are dealing with living with dementia attended, along with trained volunteers and special guests, including the Mayor of Alford, Sarah Devereux.

As the hall filled with people enjoying tea and cake and board games, Anne Duncan – a former district nurse who started the group – said she was delighted with the response.

She said: “I work at the local surgery and became aware of the number of people in the area who suffer dementia.

“There are dementia cafes in Skegness and Louth run by the Alzheimer’s Society but nothing here.

“This group is free to attend and has been made possible with the help of funding from the Lincolnshire Carers and Young Carers Partnership and local Rotary and Lions clubs,

“Our aim is to support people with dementia and their carers with a social event where they can access information and education.

“As well as providing somewhere to socialise, we are also planning a programme of events with stands run by the Alzheimer’s Society and Age UK. It’s important people with dementia know they are not alone and events like this give them a welcome break.”

Clive Sutton was there with his wife, Margaret, who is in the early stages of dementia. He said: “I never realised there were so many people in the same situation. Coming here gives you confidence, not only for the carer but also the person themselves.”

Anne said: “Some who came here today might not remember it when they get home, but they’ll still have the feeling they’d a nice time.

The coffee mornings are being held every first and third Wednesday in the month from 10am to noon.

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