Main content
Epping Forest District Council and partners are supporting Dementia Action Week by highlighting the dementia friendly groups and support within the district.
Dementia Action Week (Monday 15 – Sunday 21 May) is an awareness raising campaign. Each year, Alzheimer’s Society works with individuals and organisations across the UK to encourage people to ‘act on dementia’.
Community Dementia initiative
Places Leisure is supporting the new Side by Side Community Dementia initiative in all Epping Forest District Council (EFDC) owned leisure centres.
Side by Side is a service that helps people with dementia to participate in an activity they enjoy or encourage them to try something new with the support of a dedicated and specially trained colleague.
Places Leisure will help those living with dementia to take part in the gym, swimming, badminton or even just to meet for a friendly chat in one of the centre cafés.
For more information and to find out how Places Leisure can offer support, visit any Places Leisure centre within the district for a coffee and talk with one of Places Leisure’s Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) instructors:
- Epping Sports Centre – Every Tuesday 2pm to 3pm
- Loughton Leisure Centre – Every Wednesday 12pm to 2pm and Every Thursday 2pm to 3pm
- Ongar Leisure Centre – Every Monday 2pm to 3pm
- Waltham Abbey Leisure Centre – Every Thursday 12.30pm to 1.30pm
Memory Train
The ‘Memory Train’ trip is a partnership initiative between EFDC’s Community Development and Wellbeing team, Epping Ongar Railway and Epping Open Gardens.
The free event will take place on Wednesday 5 July 2023 10.30am to 2pm and is a great day out for residents in the district living with dementia or mild cognitive impairment to enjoy with a friend, family member or carer.
The day offers the opportunity to reminisce, take in the beautiful views of the Epping Forest countryside and learn from the exceptional knowledge shared by Epping Ongar Railway volunteers.
Find support within the district
Epping Forest Dementia Action Alliance (DAA) is a mix of individuals, groups and organisations that want better health and social care outcomes for people affected by dementia. Members of the DAA support a number of dementia friendly groups and offer a wide range of services within the district for people living with dementia, family, friends and carers.
Become a Dementia Friend
Join the Epping Forest Dementia Action Alliance for a free interactive Dementia Friends information session to learn how dementia affects a person and what you can to make a difference.
Become a dementia friend and join more than 3 million others taking action.
- When: 19 June 2023, 1pm – 2pm
- Venue: Virtual
To book your place contact Laura Cleverley, Dementia Action Officer:
- Email lcleverley@eppingforestdc.gov.uk
- Call 07548 145652
A Council spokesperson said:
The Alzheimer’s Society reports that there are currently around 900,000 people in the UK living with dementia. Dementia-friendly initiatives are vital in helping people that live with dementia to keep doing the things they enjoy and remain a part of their community.
A diagnosis of dementia can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation. Alongside our partners we are proud to offer a safe and welcoming way for individuals to continue to get out and about in their community.
Keep up to date
Keep in touch with our latest news, service updates and reports.