Dementia affects many people. It brings very real challenges and changes over time. As dementia progresses, patterns of life change not just for the person with dementia but for those around them, their family and their church or community too. Many of us have direct experience of dementia ourselves, or with a partner or a parent, a friend or a neighbour.

All the churches in our parishes are part of the Diocese of Lichfield Dementia-Friendly Churches Network which supports churches in becoming more dementia-friendly churches at the heart of dementia-friendly communities.  We are committed to:

• Increasing dementia awareness, so that we understand more about dementia and can stay in step as patterns change through advancing dementia; and

• Welcoming and understanding, respecting and supporting, listening to and learning from people affected by dementia, giving space for everyone to participate and contribute. 

In the next twelve months, our church councils have agreed that we will:

1 Review the physical environment of our church for dementia-friendliness, increasing our understanding of what's helpful and what's challenging, using Clive Rogers film and checklists on the Diocesan website2 Monthly newsletter series on 'Things to avoid saying to someone with dementia', drawing on material from Alzheimer's Society3 Get copies of the Diocese of Lichfield 'Book of Prayers' though dementia to use/share

In addition, St Leonard's have agreed to hold  a Forget-me-not tea, raising funds for Alzheimer's Society and Holy Trinity will be inviting a speaker on dementia to one of their All Friends Together meetings.

To find out more about the Dementia-Friendly Churches Network and their resources, please visit 

https://www.lichfield.anglican.org/inclusion/dementia-friendly-church/