World Alzheimer’s Day unites charities Les Amis and Jersey Alzheimer’s Association

Les Amis and Jersey Alzheimer’s Association are partnering for the first time to raise awareness and fundraise for a common cause: dementia.

Thursday 21September is World Alzheimer’s Day, when the two charities will commit to a year-long partnership, which will include holding events, running activities and sharing knowledge and resources to improve Jersey’s dementia services.

Over 1,400 people in Jersey live with dementia and that figure is increasing with the ageing population.

In the UK, 225,000 people will develop dementia this year, the equivalent of one person every three minutes. The rapid rise in the degenerative disease has prompted Les Amis and Jersey Alzheimer’s to unite.

Shaun Findlay, Managing Director of Les Amis, said: “Dementia does not discriminate, everyone and anyone can be affected. This is why we’ve partnered with Jersey Alzheimer’s to raise awareness and funds for dementia care. Our residents are five times more likely to develop dementia, which is one of the reasons we are in the process of fundraising to build a nursing and complex needs unit.”

Mark Blamey, Manager at Jersey Alzheimer’s Association, said: “Dementia is likely to touch most of us at some point so a unified approach to raise awareness and funds, and identify better ways of supporting people with the condition, is paramount. Les Amis’ experience of dealing with some of the Island’s most vulnerable residents gives the charity real insight that Jersey Alzheimer’s can benefit from. We welcome a number of Les Amis residents to our services, including our weekly Musical Memories music therapy activity at St Saviour’s Parish Hall.”

Fundraising plans for the partnership include a joint Swimarathon session and organising a charity walk next summer.

Les Amis’ corporate partner ZEDRA will also support Jersey Alzheimer’s Association throughout October, November and December this year.