New support group for carers and dementia sufferers

The Standard reported in October that the Alzheimer’s Society had lost funding for its activity group and Singing For The Brain sessions in Sleaford. But a new community group called Sleaford Dementia Support will be launched in January by voluntters to preserve the service for local people.

Sleaford Dementia Support will run an activity group at The Source in Sleaford on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday afternoons each month and then later volunteers intend to re-start the popular Singing for the Brain.

Secretary Bex Mezzo used to be a volunteering officer for the Alzheimer’s Society and said: “I have had family and close friends with dementia and want to help the group through the early stages. We have been very lucky to be supported by a number of organisations and businesses in Sleaford financially and thank them for their kindness.”

Dementia Support Lincolnshire has offered to mentor the new group and they have had help from Voluntary Centre Services - North Kesteven. Mrs Mezzo hoped the transition would be seamless, saying: “A management committee has been set up and some volunteers will be recruited to run the groups. Four of the committee are carers.”

If interested in attending the group or volunteering contact [email protected] or via Facebook. You can donate games for the group - drop them into the Sleaford Standard or contact the group.

l An exhibition of work by dementia sufferers and carers created in workshops with artist Carol Parker and funded by the Dementia Support Network runs from December 13 to 20 at Oakdene Care Home, Sleaford.