Wedmore News May 2025
Dementia Action Week: 19th – 25th May
You may have noticed that our themes often relate to an ‘action’ week and this month it does too. Knowing a person with dementia or being a person with dementia is familiar to many of us. Hearing that diagnosis can be very daunting, but the support available has improved so much in recent years – it’s by no means perfect, but it’s improving all the time. According to the Alzheimer’s Society, 91% of people affected by dementia say there are benefits to getting a diagnosis. Perhaps it’s worth clarifying what dementia is (information from alzheimers.org.uk) Dementia is a group of symptoms. It is caused by different diseases that damage the brain. There are many types of dementia, caused by different diseases, but there are four main types:- Alzheimer’s, vascular, frontal lobe and Lewy bodies. Dementia is a group of symptoms, for example, memory loss, confusion and needing help with daily tasks, problems with language & understanding and changes in behaviour. However everyone will experience dementia differently. Tom Kitwood, an expert in dementia, said:- ‘Once you have met one person with dementia, you have met one person with dementia’. He advocated that the way we support people with dementia should be personalised and make the most of their capabilities for as long as possible – easier said than done, maybe! We have a number of groups and individuals in and around Wedmore to help us with these aims. How about Music in Mind and Music Matters, for a sociable session with music? Or the Tuesday Club for lunch and a chat? For specialist help HeadsUp may be able to help. They provide day-care for people with dementia at their centre in Wells. Funding may be available – just ask them for details. If you are a carer of a person with dementia, then support is available for you. HeadsUp holds a monthly Carers’ Group, where you can find out about benefits, support and more. See below for details. Perhaps a chat with the Village Agent could help in accessing services and support? For information and advice the two main charities for dementia have Helplines – Dementia UK is 0800 888 6678 and Alzheimer’s Society is 0333 150 3456. This is where you need your Wedmore Directory to find out about all the organisations and people mentioned! Contact me if you do not have a copy on 01934 806266.
If you’re worried about yourself, or someone close to you, get help describing your symptoms to a GP by filling in the Alzheimer’s Society’s symptoms checklist. Use the symptoms checklist
Taking action in Dementia Action week!
Perhaps you might like to do some fundraising for Alzheimer’s Society? For the adventurous amongst us (I’m thinking about it!), you could do a tandem Skydive! ‘Feel the wind in your face at 10,000 feet, the adrenaline pumping through your veins while travelling at 120mph!’ These will take place on 24th and 25th May and the nearest for us looks like Honiton. For more information go to the Alzheimer’s website or click here The Challenge. For the rest of us, why not have a few friends round for a cuppa and make a donation! Donate now via the website.
Support for people with dementia and their carers in Wedmore
Carer’s Group
Do you care for or support a person living with dementia? Then this friendly informative group is for you! Come along on the first Friday of the month to The Swan Hotel, Wedmore between 10am and 12md, next meeting on 2nd May 2025. If you want to find out more about the Memories Workshops and Carers’ Group, phone HeadsUp on 01749 670667 or email wedmorecarers@yahoo.com If you need help with funding, just ask, help may be available.
Coffee and a Chat
For general support with mental wellbeing Somewhere House, a charity based in Burnham, visits The Bluebird Café in Wedmore on the first Wednesday of the month, from 10-12md. They offer an opportunity to meet and chat. For more information contact them on 01278 780769
Cathy Butterworth
Wedmore Health & Wellbeing Project
01934 806266