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On 31 January, Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for North Wales Andy Dunbobbin, alongside local officers from North Wales Police, visited the Mountain Park Hotel in Flint to meet a local dementia friendly group, Age & Dementia Friendly Holywell, which recently received £400 from the PCC and his office to help the organisation with its work. The award followed nomination from local officer PC Charlotte Lodge who was keen to see organisations in the area benefit from extra funding on offer to help with outreach projects in the community.
According to Alzheimer’s Research UK There are currently 982,000 people living with dementia in the UK. This number is expected to increase to over 1.4m by 2040. One in two people will be affected by dementia in their lifetime, either by caring for someone with the condition, developing it themselves, or both.
Age & Dementia Friendly Holywell provide care, support and reassurance for individuals and carers who are living and dealing with dementia. Groups such as these are crucial for families to engage with similar people and they act as a safe space to relax and take a break from caring responsibilities. The group meets on the 1st Friday of each month for a lunch at a local business. Then the 2nd Friday of the month at midday they meet at St Peter’s Church, Holywell, and the 3rd Friday of the month they met at The Crooked Horn, Brynford. The group also has annual outings, for example boat trips at Llangollen with afternoon tea, and visits to Llandudno for a trip around the Great Orme on the vintage bus, then to Rhos-on-Sea for lunch.
During the visit at Flint, the PCC met members of the group and their families, as well as group leader Sue Wynne who, alongside other volunteers, organises the meet ups and activities across Flintshire to bring people from the community together. Meeting up also provides a dedicated outlet for people to step away from the everyday challenges of caring for a loved one with dementia.
North Wales Police officers PC Charlotte Lodge, PC Phil Davies, and PC Daniel Hughes McConnell also attended the session, alongside Michael Jones of Flintshire County Council Social Services. Officers attend the meetings to gain a first-hand insight what it is like to care for people with dementia and also get the chance to discuss the importance of the Herbert Protocol. This is used to help Police and other agencies quickly and safely locate missing people who have dementia. Families of a person with the condition are asked to provide information such as places of importance to them, often visited places, health issues and places they have been found in the past if reported missing.
In November last year, the group was fortunate to secure UK Government Levelling Up funding through Flintshire County Council and they organised a 60s themed event to bring the local community of Holywell together. Over 90 people attended in fancy dress and everyone brought along an item to support the local food bank .
Holywell Town Council has also donated a grant for the group to bring together the community and this event will take place on the 14th of February at 1pm, as a Valentine’s Day celebration.
Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin commented: “Dementia is a condition that affects many people across North Wales, both those living with it and those caring for a loved one who has dementia, and these numbers are only going to grow over the coming years. It’s something I know about from my own family experience as my own dear Nain lived with dementia in her old age.
“That’s how I know how important groups like this in Flintshire are and why I have been so pleased to come along to learn about its work and why I am delighted we have been able to support it with funding. As the officer who nominated them said, this is a well worthy organisation for funding as it provides help and support for the most vulnerable within our community.”
PC Charlotte Lodge of North Wales Police said: “When I first came to the group and met Sue, I saw how important it is to feel part of a community and be supported as someone living with – or having a family member with – dementia as it can be a very isolating experience. I nominated the group for funding as my own grandfather had dementia and I saw how it affected him and my nan. So groups like this are vital, and they help to give people an outlet and a chance to be themselves again.”
Mother and son, Gillian and Andrew Beynon’s husband and father was previously a member of the group and they commented: “This group is essential to everyone. If people are struggling, they can come here and speak to people who will help them through things, especially when the NHS is so burdened. We’re unique in Age & Dementia Friendly Holywell to have Sue as an organiser and we’re always moving forward.”
Fellow group member Pam Stewart added: “This group is a lifeline for us to get out and meet friends.”
Sue Wynne said: “I have been involved with the memory cafes for many years and, after the pandemic, I managed to find a local pub called the Boot and Ship in Bagillt and a singer called Joe Johnson who supported us. We originally had 15 ladies and gentlemen who come along and we received a £30 donation and raffle prizes from a member of a family whose loved one had passed. Before too long, through word of mouth, I was receiving calls from other people asking if they could come along as they were lonely and, soon, we were welcoming more new friends.
“We welcome everyone who is feeling isolated or lonely. Anyone who is struggling and needs help and support is also signposted in the right direction. We are one big family, we have lost many dear friends, but we have also made new friends and we keep doing so. We are now a very big group of up to 60 people and are a non-profit, so rely on donations.
“We are also involved with the local schools’ intergenerational projects and the children and our older people love interacting and sharing stories. We also have our local Police Officers supporting what we do and we know they are there if, and when, we need them. We are also fortunate to have a great dementia support team, who work extremely closely with anyone who needs help. We are all so happy as a group and I am really passionate and protective about what we do.”
To find out more about the Herbert Protocol visit: www.northwales.police.uk/notices/af/herbert-protocol
To take part in the dementia friendly group contact Sue Wynne: susiewynne61@gmail.com
Or visit their Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092441065670