Council provides support for residents living with dementia

Seven libraries across the borough (Botwell Green, Ruislip Manor, Northwood Hills, Oak Farm, Uxbridge, West Drayton and Yeading) offer weekly dementia groups for residents with dementia and their carers. The sessions are an opportunity to meet others living with dementia and take part in a variety of activities, including reminiscence, chair-based exercise, bingo, art and music.

The council also runs a weekly early onset dementia group at Northwood Library for those under the age of 65, where residents and their carers can socialise and take part in activities. Tovertafel (magic tables), which offer a series of 'light' interactive games are also available to use at Botwell Green, Harefield, Northwood Hills, Oak Farm, Ruislip Manor and Uxbridge libraries.

These are complimented by a range of leisure activities to support residents living with dementia including adapted golf at West London Golf Centre, boccia at Yiewsley and West Drayton Community Centre, walking tennis at Uxbridge Sports Club and walking football at Rectory Park, Northolt.  

Activities are not just sports-focused, with the council also offering dementia friendly film screenings at the Beck Theatre, Hayes and monthly daytime discos at the Compass Theatre, Ickenham. The discos feature popular music from the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s, and offer space to dance or just listen.

There is also support and advice available for families and others close to people with dementia in Hillingdon via Dementia Friends, a national initiative to help people to better understand dementia and the small things they can do to make a difference to people living with the condition. Dementia Friends sessions are held regularly in Hillingdon and are free of charge.

The council also leads Hillingdon Dementia Action Alliance, a group of 35 local organisations and charities, which works together to make the borough more dementia friendly.

Additionally, last month the council worked with the Silver Fox Memory Group to organise a trip for 20 residents with dementia and carers to a Queens Park Rangers (QPR) versus Hull City football match, which included lunch and a stadium tour.

Harjinder Sarai, from Hayes, went on the trip and said: "I had a wonderful day out at QPR and thoroughly enjoyed it. A big thank you to the Silver Fox Memory Group, QPR and Hillingdon Council for organising it all for us."

Cllr Ian Edwards, Leader of Hillingdon Council, said: "Dementia Awareness Week should encourage people in Hillingdon with concerns about their memory to contact their GP and learn more. Dementia is not a single illness, but a group of symptoms caused by damage to the brain. It is more common in people over 65, but dementia can also affect younger people.

"The council is proud to support residents living with dementia and their families/carers by providing a variety of activities and guidance."

For more information on the council's dementia services and support, visit www.hillingdon.gov.uk/dementia