Organisations come together to highlight dementia support at NNUH information fayre

Over twenty public sector and community providers joined the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital on Monday to mark Dementia Awareness Week 2017 at the NNUH Dementia Information Fayre. 

Organisations held information stands to highlight what dementia support they have to offer in Norfolk to those living with dementia and their families and carers. Teams from NNUH were also on hand to show what dementia support the hospital offers including stands hosted by NNUH Library, Allied Health Professionals (AHP), Nursing, Research and Dementia Support.

As part of the day, those visiting the fayre also attended various talks for the public hosted by Dr Muhammad Rafiq, Consultant Neurologist and Honorary Senior Lecturer at NNUH, Heather Edwards, Lead of Come Singing and Music Mirrors, Lorna Wilson, NNUH Head Librarian, Dr Jay Foden, NNUH Older People’s Medicine Speciality Registrar and Dr Sarah Housden, Senior Lecturer, School of Health Sciences, UEA.

Liz Yaxley, Dementia Services Manager said: “The fayre really highlighted just how much is going on in Norfolk when it comes to supporting those living with dementia and their families and carers. NNUH has the largest Older People’s Medicine department in the country and we wanted to hold an event that gave those affected by dementia access to information about the extensive projects and initiatives going on in the local area.”

Liz said: “The talks for the public held in the Benjamin Gooch Lecture Theatre were very informative and featured guidance and practical tips about dementia support. I’d like to thank all our speakers who dedicated their spare time to support the event.”

Those living with dementia and their families and carers were also able to enjoy complimentary teas, coffees and cakes at the pop-up café in the centre of the fayre all whilst enjoying musical entertainment provided by Jeremy Over, NNUH Director of Workforce and Heather Edwards on the piano and a performance by the hospital choir too.

Liz said: “The musical entertainment and pop-up dementia café added to the lovely event atmosphere and I would like to thank all those who have made it such a wonderful event. To Claudia Rumford, NNUH Dementia Support Worker who organised the dementia bunting project. The project showed just how much everyone came together to promote dementia awareness, and Claudia’s amazing efforts made it all work so well! To Serco for providing teas and coffees, to Morrisons for providing delicious cakes, and to our NNUH volunteers who helped with the smooth running of the day.”

Dianne Fernee from Wymondham Dementia Support Group said: “We have really enjoyed taking part in the NNUH information fayre. Dementia affects so many people in Norfolk and the event has been a great opportunity to speak with people about what dementia support our group offers.”

Emma McKay, NNUH Director of Nursing said: “The information fayre has been a true example of why it is so important to work together to make services and information accessible to those affected by dementia. I want to thank all those teams involved for making it such a big success.” 

A special thanks goes to all the external organisations and providers who came in to hold information stands and highlighted why dementia awareness and support is so important to those living in Norfolk. These organisations include: NorseCare, Norfolk County Council, Age UK Norfolk, Norfolk Carers Support, CRN Eastern, South Norfolk Council Independent Living Team, Age UK Norwich, Alzheimer’s Society, Norfolk Adult Social Care, Age Concern Swaffham & District, Dementia UK, Carers Trust Norfolk, Wymondham Dementia Support Group, Equal Lives, Sprowston Dementia Friendly Community, Parkinsons UK, Health Watch, Independence Matters, Phoenix Futures, Andrew Frederick Adult Support, Home Instead and Voluntary Norfolk.