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Organised by Younger People With Dementia CIOTeaming up with Elite Adventures over the course of 3 days, a group of amazing walkers will be venturing 68 miles from Reading to Southampton to raise money for Younger People with Dementia.
Closed 11/06/2024
The campaign has now expired but it's not too late to support this charity.
Visit the charity's profileThe St James Way is the authentic English start to the Camino de Santiago. Follow in the footsteps of pilgrims as we embark on this incredible journey from the ruins of Reading Abbey and make our way to Southampton where pilgrims would have continued on their journey to Santiago.
Our route takes us through rolling countryside and along canal and river paths which boasts spectacular views and are steeped in history. Normally pilgrims would take between 5-7 days to complete all 70 miles but we have only 3 days to make the journey from Reading to reach our final destination of Southampton.
This walk is one of our big group fundraisers, put on with the intention to raise money for our charity Younger People with Dementia (YPWD).
Dementia is considered young onset when it affects people under 65 years of age. It is also referred to as early onset or working age dementia.
People with young onset dementia often experience a more rapid decline in cognition and quality of life at a time when they may otherwise have expected to be in employment and to have an active social life. The same applies to partners and other family members who consequently face social isolation and carer stress. In many cases, carers have to give up work to support their partner and therefore, the ability to provide respite on a daily basis is often pivotal to keeping carers in work. Furthermore, for the person with dementia, lack of appropriate activities can result in an increase in loneliness, apathy, a decline in health and increased risk of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia.
YPWD aims to support those living with dementia and facing the above challenges by providing activity-based workshops which are therapeutic and age-appropriate, such as equine therapy, katakanuing, art and crafts and choir. These activities are known to increase mood and self esteem in participants, as well as reducing social isolation and hospitalisations. The charity also run Connecting Carers & Children's Groups, social events, education and training and a Making Memories Scheme.
When my husband was first diagnosed at the age of 55, the bottom fell out of my world. He very rarely talked and had absolutely no confidence, however since attending the YPWD workshops he's become his old self to a large degree. My husband is full of beans when he comes home from the groups and he doesn’t say I can’t anymore, but I can and I will. Seeing how happy he is is absolutely priceless.
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