Hello!

On the 27th April, I'll be running the Manchester Marathon for Together Dementia Support. I've been working for TDS firstly as the Volunteer Co-ordinator, and now as a Volunteer & Dementia Support Co-ordinator, since January 2024 and so, I know just how valuable, important and underfunded our work is.

All of us will be affected by dementia in our lifetimes - whether directly, or indirectly. Many of us already are, or have been. Talk to the people around you - your friends, family, colleagues - nearly all of them will have a thread that links them to dementia.

1 in 11 people over the age of 65 have dementia in the UK - it's incredibly common, and despite that, there's really nowhere near enough support for people living with dementia, or their carers and loved ones.

That's why what we do right here in Manchester is so important.

To have access to safe, accessible and supported spaces; to be a part of communities that accept us just as we are; to be able to move our bodies in a way that works for us; to be able to share our lives, stories and passions; to try new things, go to new places and meet new people, and share the skills and gifts we have...all of these things are what makes life good and worthwhile, for both people living with dementia and carers.

For those who are older, or who have any disability, or complex medical condition like dementia - opportunities to be a part of those spaces and communities dries up for those people in society that often need it the most.

We're a really small charity, in the grand scheme of things, and so we really do know everybody we work with, and everybody we support. It helps us provide a really person-centred service, and we really pride ourselves on this.

Together Dementia Support run:

⭐ Weekly Friendship & Activity Groups for PLWD - creative, active and social groups for our members that run nearly every week of the year. Each group is a little community of its own.

⭐ Together at Home - our 1:1 home visiting / befriending service, matching trained volunteers with a PLWD in their local area for weekly or fortnightly sessions, to do creative or fun activities, go for a local walk or for a coffee, or just to sit and chat in the garden.

⭐ Dedicated Carer Support for those unpaid carers, often family members, caring for their loved one/s. Including training, advocacy, emotional support, signposting & supporting carers to navigate different systems to access the right benefits and support, and so much more.

Any donations you make go straight into our work as unrestricted funds - a lot of our funding comes from grants, with specific requirements stating that the money that has to be used for a certain group or service, but any donations you make can be put straight into whichever service needs it the most.

The people we support and work with here at TDS touch our lives in ways that continue to surprise us all - just as we are, they are whole people, with stories, adventures, gifts and talents, senses of humor, and wisdom to share. Neither age, ability, nor cognitive function makes anybody less whole as a person, or any less deserving of care, support and space in Manchester or anywhere else.

Whilst I'm running, as well as thinking about how much my legs hurt, I'll be thinking about all the wonderful members of the TDS community who have touched my life, and all I have learned and gained from spending time with them.

TL:DR - give me your money x

Big love!

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Together Dementia Support are here to help people to live positively with Dementia in Manchester and Trafford. There are an estimated 5,000 people in Manchester currently living with Dementia. We support people to live actively, socially and positively, with support for both people living with Dementia and their loved ones.

Since being established in 2014, TDS has supported over 1,000 people living with Dementia and their loved ones.