A former Coronation Street actress is lending her support to Cheshire East Council’s drive to raise awareness of dementia.
Cheshire East organised the event at Tatton Park to encourage businesses and organisations to become dementia-friendly.
Dr Trevor Jarvis and Judy Holt are backing the camp
Judy Holt, who appeared in ‘The Street’ as dementia Lesley Kershaw, attended a recent seminar organised by Cheshire East in her role as a dementia ‘befriender’.
At the event, Council Leader Michael Jones issued a challenge to all businesses and organisations in Cheshire East to “do all they can to become dementia-friendly”.
Councillor Jones explained why increasing understanding of dementia is so important: “As we live longer, more and more of us are exposed to the problems of dealing with a friend, colleague or loved one who suffers from dementia. It’s a reality that now affects nearly all families – including my own.
“Unfortunately, there is still a lot of stigma and misinformation out there about people living with dementia. This event is a call to action, urging companies and organisations to do all they can to become dementia-friendly.
He added: “We are offering practical leadership by creating a new Dementia Action Alliance Co-ordinator to establish a series of events across Cheshire East to break down barriers and spread understanding about the challenges of dealing with dementia and how we can all play a part in helping people with the condition to still lead fulfilling lives.”
One of the key speakers at the event was Dr Trevor Jarvis MBE, who spoke about living with dementia. Having been diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2001, Trevor uses his personal experience along with his talent for public speaking to highlight the day-to-day difficulties of living with dementia and how to make communities a better place for those that live with the condition.
