The Witham and Braintree Hub’s have jointly received an Essex Inclusive Dementia Community (IDC) Award from the Alzheimer’s Society, in recognition of their efforts to support local residents and visitors who are affected by dementia. The Town of Witham has also received an IDC award for its role in supporting dementia sufferers in the community.
The awards, provided by Essex County Council, were presented to Tina Townsend, Chair of the Witham & Braintree Hub Trustees, by Melanie Williamson, Integrated Dementia Commissioner and Kryshia Fuller, Braintree District Council’s Community Co-ordinator for dementia friendly initiatives. They also presented a similar award to the Mayor of Witham, Cllr Paul Heath, who accepted it on behalf of the Town.
The awards follow joint dementia related projects by the Witham Hub, Witham Town Council, Witham United Reformed Church and Fusion Leisure Centre, which have included surveys and events such as a dementia awareness and support day sponsored by the Hub during the recent dementia awareness week. The Witham Hub encouraged businesses to support the awareness and support day with various activities such as dementia friendly groups.
At the Hub itself, in the Grove Centre, regular events have been held especially for dementia sufferers and their families including ‘Time for Tea.’ Other events held in the Town were ‘Memories and More’ and ‘Singing for the Brain,’ both held at the United Reform Church.
Melanie Williamson, Integrated Dementia Commissioner for Essex County Council said: “The Witham and Braintree Hubs are working hard to provide a supportive, person-led experience for all their residents and visitors who are living with dementia. Their efforts have improved the lives of local people who have been affected by dementia.”
Tina Townsend, Founder and Chair of the Witham Braintree and Witham Trustees said: “I am humbled to receive this award on behalf of the team. The staff and volunteers have worked hard on our dementia initiatives and I am particularly grateful to Kerrie Waterman, who is part of our Hub support team and developed our first Time for Tea Group. It was great to work with Witham Town Council, the URC and Fusion on joint projects to raise awareness of dementia and to support local people who have been affected by the sometimes devastating consequences of having a loved one suffering from dementia. This is just the start, and we aim to continue this vital service in the future.”
