AFTER the recent announcement of a breakthrough in AI technology that may signal hope for rapid diagnosis of the syndrome, the NHS states that there is still 1 in 14 people over the age of 65 in the UK living with dementia.

Action for Family Carers is an Essex-based charity that provides support and information to carers – young and old – who have unpaid caring responsibilities for others (including partners, children, relatives, friends, or neighbours) who use the service to manage. The reasons for care could range from age, physical or mental illness, to addiction, disability; or conditions such as dementia. Action for Family carers provides activity groups and respite day care across the county. ‘Keeping Active’ and ‘Active Minds’ are sessions specifically designed for those living with dementia in Great Dunmow, Harlow, Epping, and Witham. These groups are open to those with mild to moderate dementia and are designed to give carers a break from their caring duties.

Essex based Saffron Building Society has donated a sum of £1,500 from their 2021 community fund to the charity, to support the Great Dunmow group in particular. Members of Saffron staff attended a ‘Keeping Active’ session recently to see how their donation is helping this group to continue operation after the hardship of the pandemic.

Claire Hunnable, Community Business Partner from Saffron Building Society, comments: “Every year, our community fund supports charities that are local to our branches and provide an essential service to the community. We recognise the burden placed on young carers and it’s more than money, a little bit of time to themselves means much more to them. The wonderful efforts of the Action for Family Carers team and the Great Dunmow Activity Group are so important for giving the carers of Essex the support they deserve. It is our pleasure to do our little bit to help them.”

The donation will go a long way in helping to facilitate the Great Dunmow Activity Group. Clare Savva, Group Activity Support Manager at Action for Family Carers said: “We were so pleased to welcome staff from Saffron Building Society to our Monday morning Activity Group for people with dementia in Great Dunmow. They fully entered into the spirit of our Keeping Active session, joining in the seated chair exercises and the highly competitive games that everyone enjoys! We also offer our Active Minds sessions in the afternoon which focusses on cognitive stimulation therapy activities keeping our brains exercised as well as our bodies. The main aim of our groups, however, is socialising and having fun in order to prevent loneliness and social isolation. We are so grateful to Saffron Building Society for their donation which has helped us keep the group open during the pandemic. We still have places available, so anyone can contact me by phone (0300 7708090) if you know someone who might benefit from our sessions.”

Anyone who feels that they, a loved one or a friend could benefit from support from Action for Family Carers, in the first instance should visit the website to find out more at affc.org.uk. To enquire about spaces in the Great Dunmow Activity Group, as well as the groups in other locations, contact Clare Savva on 0300 7708090 or 07851 249707.

To find out more about Saffron Building Society’s community funding in your area, visit https://www.saffronbs.co.uk/community.