Dementia Action Week (13th – 19th May) is back in Kirklees with a range of support available for anyone seeking help and advice on how to manage the condition.

Batley Library will be hosting a celebration event on Friday 17 May 10:30-12:30 for the Sensory Blankets Projects. The project ran earlier this year where volunteers knitted a variety of woolly items that were given to people living with dementia to be at ease.

Meet and Mend CIC who ran the project, will be displaying the blankets and twiddle muffs from the project, using them as an opportunity to raise awareness of dementia. Anyone visiting can also speak to a range of support services who will be available to offer advice and guidance to people living with dementia and their carers.

People can also access dementia library resources; find out about the Home Library Service; and browse a Living with Dementia curated collection. Nationally, The Reading Agency will launch a booklist on dementia support.

Also happening this week are sessions for carers where the Kirklees Wellness Service will be promoting their Someone with Memory Deterioration sessions. Sessions on building resilience are also available for anyone who needs a helping hand with caring for a loved one. All are free events aimed at unpaid carers.

Tuesday 14th May – virtual lunch and learn session – Carers Wellness Sessions in particular Caring for Someone with Memory Deterioration. Booking is via Carers Count.

Wednesday 15th May 6pm-8pm – Building Resilience Session at Brian Jackson House, Huddersfield. Book via Kirklees Wellness Service.

Wednesday 22nd May 1:00pm-3.00pm – Caring for Someone with Memory Deterioration Session, Dewsbury Fire Station. Book via Kirklees Wellness Service.

Richard Parry, strategic director for adults and health, said: “It is important that we continue to help people in Kirklees know the signs and symptoms of dementia and highlight how they can access the support they need for themselves or for a loved one. An ageing population means residents who are diagnosed early are more likely to be able to live independently with appropriate support in place. This is why we are refreshing the Kirklees Memory Monitoring Pack used by clinicians to diagnose dementia and refer people to the appropriate professional support.

“Through Dementia Action Week we reaffirm our commitment to make Kirklees a dementia-friendly place to be. Our collaboration with the University of Stirling’s Dementia Service Development Centre has resulted in the development of dementia design guidance that is helping people to make their homes, local places and services dementia-friendly.

“We have already implemented parts of this guidance and it is central in our redevelopment of dementia day care facilities at Knowl Park House in Mirfield.”

Anyone who needs advice about dementia can contact the Kirklees Dementia Hub who can help people navigate the services available to them. They run a weekly under 65 dementia group and a monthly action and discussion group. For more information contact them on 01484 503 908 or email: kdh@commlinks.co.uk.