Please join us for a special extended episode as we explore the subject of Dementia and how it affects people, here in the Forest. We look at what services are on offer for people locally and pay a visit the Dementia Action Alliance Day. We get to speak to Lyndon Biddle who is the CEO at Sheppherd House - and Gail Merchant, who is a nutritionist and ardent supporter of improving our brain health.

We visit a Music Memory Café in Lydney and speak with Julie Kingston who is the Activities and Volunteer Co-ordinator at Crossroads Gloucestershire. She helps us find out about some of the services they have on offer.

We head over to Symonds Yat and a lunch that’s taking place at the Old Court Hotel restaurant. There we meet a couple who are enjoying one of the regular events being put on by the charity.

Special thanks go to Andy Morgan-Watts who joins us in part two of this episode. He shares something of his personal experience of caring for his wife.

For more information on some of the help and activities that are available, please see the links below:

• https://www.crossroadsglos.org.uk/dementia-action-alliance/
• https://www.justgiving.com/page/julie-kingston-1716358950881?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0Sy6K7agVtCmMzxV31EJjFjv-gfb_2fx95msztURhENYK1FWIA-o6_D1k_aem_428vPZ0sSHTo4CUVa3FwSg
• https://sheppardhouse.co.uk
• https://www.gaylemerchantnutrition.co.uk/
• https://foodforthebrain.org/the-cognitive-function-test/
• https://www.brainhealthprogramme.com/
• https://gloucestershirecarershub.co.uk/
• https://www.fdean.gov.uk/communities-health-and-leisure/community-health-and-wellbeing/dementia-awareness/

News media articles:

• Doctor says anti-inflammatory diet can help prevent dementia, diabetes and cancer (msn.com)
• https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/other/dementia-warning-as-four-habits-linked-to-cognitive-decline/ar-BB1pBKrb?ocid=entnewsntp&pc=U531&cvid=d1155c2146f7475bb122a94597a16eca&ei=16

Helplines:

Gloucestershire Support After Suicide Service (GSASS) 07483 375 516 Email: glossupportaftersuicide@rethink.org

Samaritans 116 123 (24 hours, free to call) www.samaritans.org

SANE: Mental Health Helpline 0300 304 7000 (7 days a week 4.30pm–10.30pm) www.sane.org.uk MIND 0300 123 3393 (Mon–Fri 9am–6pm) www.mind.org.uk

Melanie@fvaf.org.uk community@fvaf.org.uk

Music contribution comes from TELL YOUR STORY by Ikson//Release #46 – ‘Sti

These episodes are created with a love of grassroots, community action at the heart of them. We showcase inspiring stories from people who have made their ideas come to life.