Creating Dementia Friendly Sandbach

Dementia Friendly Sandbach sponsored by Sandbach Partnership aims to create a safe, supportive environment, respecting the rights and dignity of residents and visitors living with Dementia.

In July 2023 there were 179 residents diagnosed with Dementia living in Sandbach and registered at Ashfields, and probably double that figure who were undiagnosed. The number of people with Dementia is expected to grow rapidly over the next decade as people live longer and the population increases.

Current Activities

• We continue to run a weekly virtual coffee morning on Zoom, which was initially set up during the first lockdown  

• We run two dementia friendly coffee mornings each month, one at the Market Tavern and a second at Sandbach Rugby Club  

• We support two more coffee mornings run respectively by Sandbach Unity Methodist Church/Sandbach Crosses Rotary Club and Elworth Grange Care Home  

• We signpost information and support from others, including from Cheshire East Council and the Alzheimer’s Society and to other local activities such as Singing for the Brain at St Peter’s Church Hall, Elworth (run by the Alzheimer’s Society) and Arts for Dementia sessions at the Sandbach Art Rooms (run by Cheshire Arts for Health)  

• We promote the Sunflower Hidden Disability Scheme, the Herbert Protocol (with Cheshire Police), and the ‘This is Me’ leaflet for those who may need to visit Leighton Hospital or a care home for respite.  

• We have started running trips and excursions  

• We aim to raise awareness in and around Sandbach about dementia 

Details will be posted on our dedicated Facebook page @DementiaFriendlySandbach as well as here.

Achieving our aim with your support

If you or someone you live with or know is experiencing memory problems, an approach to the GP should be encouraged. This may not be an early sign of dementia but even so, an early diagnosis of the cause enables treatment and support when it is most effective.

We already have over 1,000 local Dementia Friends in Sandbach. You can sign up to be a Dementia Friend by attending an information session to understand the five key messages about Dementia to make a difference in Sandbach. Please contact us for details.

Quote from Sandbach Resident

Retired HGV Mechanic Neil, diagnosed with Vascular Dementia 5 years ago, says: ‘We with dementia know we have it. It’s not the end of the world. So let’s get on with life, as best we can, keep our minds active, keep ourselves busy and keep socialising with our like-minded friends, as we have a nice group of friends and carers. We’re still keeping in touch with each other on Zoom at this sad time with Covid-19. Can’t wait for the normality of getting back together with our coffee mornings and socials. There are a lot of DFS friends not on the internet or with smart phones so we have not seen them since March 2020. We have Singing for the Brain Zoom meetings which are very funny with exercises and singing, and film shows. So, people with dementia and carers, let’s make Sandbach truly a dementia friendly town. Spread the word!’