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Knowsley School children get
classes to increase understanding of dementia
SCHOOL children from across Knowsley
are being taught about dementia in a bid to boost understanding about the
condition amongst young people.
Villages Housing Association, which is part of the ForViva group, has teamed up
with the Alzheimer's Society to host a series of classes at schools across
Knowsley. The 1st session, last week, was held at Stockbridge Village Primary
School in the same week as:- 'World Alzheimer's Day.'
There are around 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK, with nearly a
third of young people knowing someone with the condition.
The education project:- 'Mr Alzheimer's and Me' has already been
successfully run in Salford by City West Housing Trust, a fellow ForViva group
member. The workshops include understanding the brain and memory, the role of
carers and families, and the difficulties people living with dementia face in
their communities.
Jenny Chapman, Interim Director of Health and Wellbeing at ForViva, said:-
"This initiative is part of our plan to help create a dementia friendly
generation. Young people are increasingly likely to come into contact with
dementia through family and friends as the population ages.
That's why our workshops focus on understanding the impact dementia can have and
encouraging young people to become Dementia Friends; taking simple steps to be
supportive and kind to anyone in their community with dementia."
The sessions come to Knowsley in the wake of Villages Housing Association's
recent unveiling of plans for The Withens development, a ₤12.4 million
investment in extra care homes and bungalows in Stockbridge Village for older
people, including those with dementia.
The landlord, which trains its staff to become Dementia Friends, is now set to
roll out the education programme across the area.
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