Dear Editor,

ALZHEIMER’S Society will mark its 40th anniversary this year, celebrating our story so far and our on-going commitment to stopping dementia in its tracks.

I’d like to thank everyone in Wiltshire who united against dementia last year by fundraising, campaigning and volunteering, helping us challenge perceptions, fund research and improve and provide care and support.

There are many highlights from 2018 including welcoming more and more volunteers to our Side by Side service, raising awareness during Dementia Action Week when we visited Stonehenge and Salisbury Cathedral and later when our Roadshow stopped off in Bradford-on-Avon and Melksham. We welcomed new faces to our carer support groups across the county and our Independent Living Worker facilitated a group of people living alone with dementia to meet up at the cinema each week. Finally, Rosie the Pets As Therapy (PAT) dog brought a smile to people’s faces on her visits to Foresters, our day support service in Salisbury, along with some alpacas!

Last year Alzheimer’s Society announced that a staggering two and a half million people in the UK have become a Dementia Friend. This Alzheimer’s Society initiative asks people to take one small action to help people with dementia feel supported and able to live well in their communities.

With more than 6,900 people living with dementia in Wiltshire, the need to unite in the fight against the condition has never been more pressing.

There are so many ways your readers can get involved in 2019 and what better time to take on a new challenge. From becoming a volunteer – either for our Side by Side service or at this year’s Virgin Money London Marathon where we are Charity of the Year – to fundraising, campaigning to Fix Dementia Care or signing up to join dementia research.

Whether you give an hour, a day or more, please visit alzheimers.org.uk/getinvolved to find out how you can unite against dementia.

Andrew Day

Alzheimer’s Society Services Manager for Wiltshire

c/o Alzheimer’s Society, Unit 15 Forest Gate, Pewsham,

Chippenham

Wiltshire SN15 3RS