Working Together

Today Debby and Fiona from Dementia Forward, along with some of their Richmond volunteers visited the reserve. The visit came about as Dementia Forward volunteers are also proud recipients of the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS). The reason for visiting was three-fold, to provide dementia awareness training to our volunteers, to look round the site in the hope that their young onset group can visit very soon and finally to celebrate with cake!

The visit began with a short training session in the classroom. Fiona explained that the term dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a group of symptoms that may include memory loss, confusion and difficulties with thinking, problem-solving, perception or language. The most common types of dementia were explained. She also explained that dementia affects each individual differently, and the symptoms that someone experiences will depend on the parts of the brain that are affected. Dementia is not a natural part of aging, but age is the biggest risk factor. It is more common in people over the age of 65, but there are an estimated 42,000 people in the UK under 65 with a diagnosis of dementia. 

After the presentation, the guests enjoyed a guided walk and were especially pleased to find the haymeadow full of Buttercups (this flower appears on their logo). 

Special thanks to Karen for bringing delicious cakes to celebrate this new partnership!

We look forward to working together!