Worthing hosts day of action to help people living with dementia and their carers

A range of information stands was set up in the centre this afternoon and a group of 50 guests, including members of Stay Social at Abbeyfield Ferring Society, was given a seafront ride by Stagecoach on a special bus before being treated to refreshments.

Town crier Bob Smytherman, who is chairman of Worthing Dementia Action Alliance, welcomed guests and read a poem written especially for the occasion by Connie Apps. She was sharing the day with friends and wanted to celebrate both Dementia Day and Bob, as her husband was a member of the town criers' association. She said he would have loved to have been there but he was now in a home.

Bob said: "This is the first time we have done Dementia Action Week like this. It's the first time we have been able to celebrate in the Guildbourne Centre with all this wonderful hospitality. Who would have thought ten years on from when I started this in my mayoral year we would still be going."

The event was sponsored by Rocket Social Media, run by Melanie Peters, with a £500 anonymous donation from one her clients. Food and drink was provided by Kendrick’s Coffee, Vice Puddings, Piglets Pantry and Feast.

Melanie said: “It was an honour to be asked to be involved in this year’s Dementia Worthing event and to secure a £500 donation – this has enabled us to put on an amazing event for people with dementia and give them a treat and a day out.

"We had some funds left, which Dementia Friendly Worthing are using to take the group to bowls on Thursday at Worthing Pavilion Bowls Club.

"I would like to say a huge thank you to the Guildbourne Centre for allowing us to use the centre and for all the help and support from the staff and some of the tenants.”

As part of Dementia Action Week, Worthing Pavilion Bowls Club, in Pavilion Road, is holding a bowls and table tennis event on Thursday, May 18. The club will welcome members and supporters of Worthing Dementia Hub between 10am and 2pm for ‘taster’ bowls sessions on the indoor rinks.

Keeping active is acknowledged as one of the best ways to prevent or alleviate the effects of dementia.

Stallholders who can offer help to dementia patients and their carers are setting up in the club lounge and refreshments will be available. The event this week replaces the hub's regular Thursday drop-in meeting at its headquarters in South Farm Road.

Lynsey Tran, Worthing Dementia Hub co-ordinator, said: “Dementia Action Week 2023 is a time for us to raise awareness in our local community. We are thrilled to be partnering with Worthing Pavilion Bowling Club for the Keep Active event. There will be information stands as well as dementia-friendly bowls and table tennis. There is lots of evidence to show that keeping active benefits people affected by dementia so to have inclusive spaces like the bowling club offer relaxed sessions is fantastic for our community."