WECAN United In Kind Coach and Dementia Awareness Champion, Nick, is delighted to be promoting and participating in an action-packed week of free activities in Epping Forest, this week, to mark Dementia Awareness Week

Partners on the the Epping Forest Dementia Action Alliance (EF DAA) have set up busy programme of nature walks, physical activities, coffee mornings, music, and memory café events, to mark Dementia Awareness Week (May 17-23); a national initiative, led by The Alzheimer’s Society, encouraging people to take action to improve the lives of people affected by dementia.
Nick said:
‘The Epping Forest Dementia Action Alliance is a vibrant local partnership, with many schools, churches and local community organisations working alongside Epping Forest District Council’s Dementia Action Officer, Laura Cleverley.As well as a number of local events taking place, this week, Dementia Awareness Week this year is also shining a spotlight on the need for government to ‘Cure The Care System’; making sure that quality dementia care is free and easy to access, wherever you may live’.
Local events taking place this week include:
Monday 17 May 11am – 12pm
Launch of ‘Walking in Nature’ – a pleasant walk of 0.8miles taking in the natural attractions of Waltham Abbey Gardens. This walk is open to all including those affected by dementia.
Tuesday 18 May 2.30pm – 3.30pm
Home Instead ‘Virtual Memory Lane Café’ – including a quiz, ‘guess that tune’ and a sing along with live music from Kevin the guitarist.
Wednesday 19 May 10.30am – 11.30am
’Virtual Dementia Friendly Coffee Morning’ hosted by St John’s Church for people affected by dementia. This is a chance for people to socialise and have a chat over a cup of tea or coffee from the comfort of their home.
Thursday 20 May 10am – 12.30pm & 1pm – 3.30pm
Keeping Active (morning) & Active Minds (afternoon) – Action for Family Carers, Face to Face Activity Group in Epping. Groups are ideal for people with mild to moderate dementia who would benefit from physical and/or mental stimulation and fun.
Thursday 20 May 3pm – 4pm
Public ‘Virtual Dementia Friends Information Session’ hosted by Epping Forest Dementia Action Alliance. A friendly and interactive session to learn more about dementia, how it affects a person and what we can do, professionally and personally, to help people affected by dementia in our community.
Friday 21 May 2pm – 2.30pm
Virtual Social Active Strong Introduction – gentle strength physical activity can help improve mobility and balance leading to a more active, social and independent life.
Friday 21 May 1pm – 1.30pm
Virtual Active Living – gentle chair-based exercise to improve strength, coordination and endurance with a great social focus to meet new people. Active Living is free for 6 weeks.
Find out more about the Alzheimer’s Society #CureTheCareSysyem Campaign here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6rk88V-TvM
For more information about the Epping Forest Dementia Action Alliance, visit their Facebook page here:
https://www.facebook.com/EppingForestDAA/
For more details on booking on to free events in Epping Forest as part of Dementia Awareness Week, visit here:
https://www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/dementia-action-week/?fbclid=IwAR26GbrUbGLDbWbHkH1iwmwvxi9AbxOTV_bW8ewrWNqwqTNwk8Hd9qjkm0U