Dementia Action Week – Being A Dementia Friend Ambassador
This week to raise awareness for Dementia Action Week our team are discussing Dementia Friends. Today we hear from Wills & Probate Solicitor, Charlotte Day who is one of our Ambassadors here at Timms…
Timms Dementia Friend Ambassador – Charlotte Day
I am Charlotte Day a Solicitor in the Wills and Probate department at Timms. I joined the firm in August 2018 and became a Dementia Friends Champion shortly afterwards.
Since completing my training as a Dementia Friends Champion, I have delivered Dementia Friends Information Sessions to individuals and organisations in and around Ashby, Burton and Swadlincote; such as to Leicestershire Fire and Rescue, carer’s groups, the general public and the WI.
To date, I have made 232 Dementia Friends over 29 Dementia Friends Information Sessions, which is great news, as it means that there are now 232 more people in our community who have a better understanding of what it is like for someone to be living with dementia and how we can better support them in our everyday life.
How Becoming A Dementia Friend Ambassador Helps In My Role
Due to the nature of my job, I regularly meet people living with dementia, or their families. Being a Dementia Friends Champion has given me a real insight into how I can adapt my approach to these clients to help them feel more at ease and able to communicate with me. At times, it has also been useful to explain to the family of someone living with dementia what they can do and why things might be happening the way that they are.
I have recently undertaken the enhanced training to become a Dementia Friends Ambassador and I hope to continue the good work in this new role.
What I Like About The Dementia Friends Information Sessions
I really enjoy the Dementia Friends Information Sessions because it is remarkable to see what an immediate impact the session can have on someone’s perception of dementia and what it is like to live with dementia.
There is a real-life case study that we explore in the session that I particularly love. It is about a lady who struggles to communicate because of her dementia and how the care home she is living in works out a way to communicate with her. It gives me shivers every time I tell the story during the session and it’s amazing to see the (often emotional) reaction of people hearing it for the first time.
How To Become A Dementia Friend?
Becoming a Dementia Friend is really straightforward and just involves you signing up to a Dementia Friends Information Session (in person or online) near you. The aim of the session is to give you a better understanding of what dementia is and how you can support people in your community who are living with it. It only lasts about 45 minutes and (at my sessions) tea and biscuits are provided!
If you would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact me on 01283 561 531 or via email at c.day@timms-law.com. Alternatively, you can read more about the Dementia Friends Information Sessions on our website here.
May 2022