Alzheimer’s Society project reaches out to BME communities in London

Alzheimer’s Society today launched its Connecting Communities project, focused on raising awareness of dementia within BME communities across eight London boroughs.

Alzheimer’s Society has been awarded a grant by the Health & Social Care Volunteering fund for its Connecting Communities project, focused on raising awareness of dementia within BME communities across eight London boroughs.

Over the next three years, this pilot project will take a new approach to reaching and supporting people with dementia who are traditionally hard to reach. In Hillingdon, Lambeth, Merton, Enfield, Newham, Redbridge, Hounslow and Croydon, Community Engagement volunteers will work to improve understanding of the condition and ensure people within different cultural communities have access to the support they need to live well with the condition.

Alzheimer’s Society welcomed stakeholders and local influencers to the East London Mosque today (Monday 28 January) to celebrate the funding and hear more about the project and how it will benefit people living with dementia in key London areas.

Jeremy Hughes, Chief Executive of Alzheimer’s Society said: ‘There are over 11,500 people with dementia from black and minority ethnic groups in the UK but many struggle to access services. This award will enable us to help people in these harder to reach communities get the support and information they need to live well with the condition. Through the funding our volunteers will make a real difference to people’s lives.’

Mrs Nessa is carer to her husband Mr Ali, who has a mixed diagnosis of vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. They have been attending Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Cafe at the London Muslim Centre for the last year.

Mrs Nessa says: ‘Coming to the dementia cafe at the London Muslim Centre gives my husband and I a chance to socialise which we otherwise would not get. At the cafe we have the opportunity to try new activities, make new friends, or just relax over refreshments. We look forward to our trips here and the dedicated support that is on offer.’