Herald - Issue 406

Page 42 • The HERALD • 13th May 2021 v SAY YOU SAW IT IN THE HERALD v WE CARE, YOU CARE Dementia Action Week ‘Dementia Action Week’ (DAW) is organised annually by the Alzheimer’s Society. It is a national event, which sees the UK public taking action to improve the lives of people a ected by Dementia. is year it will takes place from 17th May–23rd May , and a er being cancelled last year, the Alzheimer’s Society hopes that 2021 will be bigger and better than ever. is year, they are asking the public to “call on the government to rebuild the social care system” especially as “Coronavirus has exposed the fact that families facing Dementia have been failed by a social care system that is inadequate, hard to access, costly and unfair”. Romsey is fortunate in that it has an organisation, led by a small group of volunteers, dedicated to improving the lives of those living locally with Dementia. Romsey has also been a Dementia-friendly town since 2015. In previous years, members of Romsey Dementia Action Group (ROMDAG) have arranged a week of activities for DAW, but due to the uncertainty as to what events would be able to take place, this is unfortunately not happening in 2021. There will, however, be an opportunity on Friday 21st May to nd out more about ROMDAG and/or the Alzheimer Society’s campaign, for anyone who is interested. Members of Greenbuttercup CIC (on behalf of ROMDAG) have been running a monthly ‘ Dementia Support Group’ for the last few months - in line with Government Guidelines for ‘Support Groups’. On Friday, May 21st they will be organising a walk from the Plaza Theatre, up the canal to FishlakeMeadows and back, for those living with Dementia and their carers/ relatives. RAODS have kindly given permission for an information display to be put in the Foyer of the Plaza eatre from 10.30am–12.30pm, and tea/co ee will be served there for the returning walkers and any visitors. If anyone is interested in joining the walk, please contact Pamela on: Pamela@shadow26.plus.com or: 01794 501605, as everyone interested MUST register. Participants will need to be at the Plaza at 10.30am for a 10.45am start. If you are unable to join the walk, you are welcome to call in at the Plaza eatre to look at the display in the Foyer and have a co ee and a chat. LET US TAKE CARE OF YOUR FAITHFUL FRIEND by Cinnamon Trust Volunteer, Vanessa Daley I became a volunteer for The Cinnamon Trust as I know as a dog owner myself how much our treasured pets mean to us, especially as we grow older the well-being benefits our four legged friends bring is invaluable. For many elderly people living on their own, their pets are their reason for living. The spec i a l relationship between an elderly owner and a pet adds incalculably to quality of life but should the owner need help, the Cinnamon Trust will step in and make use of their volunteers all over the country to give that help – which could be as simple as walking a dog for a housebound owner. A fostering service is provided for pets whose owners face a spell in hospital – volunteers take pets into their own homes and supply love and care in abundance until owner and pet can be reunited. The Cinnamon Trust also provides long term care for pets whose owners have died or moved to resident ial a c c o mm o d a t i o n which will not accept pets. Arrangements are made between owners and the Trust well in advance, so owners do have peace of mind in the knowledge that their beloved companion will have a safe and happy future. When a pet is in the Trust’s care either short term or long term because the owner is in care, the owner is kept in touch with visits, if possible, or regular photos and letters. If you think this might help you, or you would like to become a volunteer, please contact the Cinnamon Trust on 01736 757900 or email: admin@ c innamon.org.uk. More details on the National Charity for the elderly, terminally ill and their pets for can be found at: www. cinnamon.org.uk