New service for people with dementia launching in West Berkshire and Wokingham

An exciting new service which enables people dementia to continue to do the things they love is being launched by Alzheimer’s Society in West Berkshire and Wokingham. The Alzheimer’s Society is aiming to match 30 volunteer befrienders with people with dementia to help them live well with their condition.

85 per cent of people with dementia say that they struggle with isolation, loneliness and depression. Befrienders provide companionship and are matched with people depending on their personality and common interests. People with dementia are able to continue to do things they love from shopping, visiting the gardening centre or playing golf to simply just having a chat over a cup of tea.

Linda Barnes, Operations Manager for Alzheimer’s Society in Reading said:

‘Life doesn’t stop when a person is diagnosed with dementia. People often still want to do the things they enjoyed doing before, such as a game of golf or a walk in the countryside, but they might need some extra support. This service offers the perfect opportunity for volunteers to help people with dementia to continue to feel a part of their community and to do the things they enjoy. It can be a very rewarding experience for both the volunteer and the person with dementia.

‘There are 2183 people with a diagnosis of dementia living in West Berkshire Primary Care Trust Area and this will rise to 6753 in 2021. With the right support people can live well with the condition for a number of years.’

The Alzheimer’s Society is currently recruiting volunteer befrienders to help meet the needs of people living with dementia in West Berkshire and Wokingham. To find out more about volunteering or accessing the befriending service please contact Louise Rawlins at the Reading Office on 0118 959 6482.

As well as the befriending service Alzheimer’s Society in West Berkshire and Wokingham has a number of services including Singing for the Brain, Dementia Cafes organised by volunteers and a team of Dementia Support Workers. To find out more visit www.alzheimers.org.uk/localinformation or contact 0118 959 6482.