19th May 2020

Alzheimer’s Support is to receive £30,000 from the Government's Emergency Response Fund to help bring its essential support to people living with dementia and family carers.

The money is part of the fund set up by Chancellor Rishi Sunak to keep much-needed charities alive and working through the pandemic. It was awarded via the National Lottery after the charity submitted a detailed application explaining how it is keeping in touch with more than a thousand Wiltshire families who are isolated at home.

Alzheimer’s Support has responded to the Covid-19 crisis by launching a telephone service with personalised advice, reassurance and practical support. Staff who know people well are making the calls – which take as long as they need to – and are also delivering shopping and medication. The charity’s music and movement groups have moved online with Zoom sessions for members who enjoy seeing familiar friendly faces as well as taking part in the music or exercise. Members of the charity’s art groups are receiving fortnightly packs of materials and project ideas to do at home.

How the grant supports people with dementia

CEO Babs Harris said: “Like other charities we had to bid for this grant and demonstrate the importance and value of our work. We are doing everything we can think of to reach as many people as possible in the ways that work best for them.

“This is a desperately difficult time for people living with dementia and their families who are having to cope without their usual support structures and routines in place. We know the difference our support is making and we are delighted to be receiving a share of the Government fund. Our charity has been hit hard financially by the pandemic, with income greatly reduced and yet with fixed costs to maintain.This will help us enormously.”

Dementia and Conoravirus