At our November meeting, we had a talk by a representative of one of our charities for this year, Friends of Garget Walker House in Richmond. This is an amazing facility for those with Dementia. Friends of Garget Walker house had thought the worst when the Alzheimer’s Society removed their support and funding last year. However, it was an opportunity for Dementia Forward to step in, with their ‘local is best’ ethos and as Anne Morton, chair for the meeting and a Friend of Garget Walker House said, ‘Dementia Forward is our future’.
Dementia, in all its forms will affect nearly every family in the UK, and early onset dementia is of particular concern. Jill told us of their new initiative ‘U or ME’, launched nationwide to tackle and raise awareness of Dementia in the under 65’s, who need support in different ways.
For a relatively new organisation (less than 10 years old) they have made a huge impact in North Yorkshire, with their Hub Clubs (like Garget Walker House) their helpline, (taking 1000 calls per month) and ‘pop up’ cafes and many other initiatives. One recently diagnosed young man, was told by his consultant ‘you have hit the jackpot, living in North Yorkshire – the leader in Dementia support’.
Several items were discussed in our business session. Plans are in place to mark International Women’s Day 2023. Dame Vera Baird, the outgoing Victims Commissioner will be speaking to us at the Holiday Inn, Scotch Corner. This will be an open event including a light meal, and publicity and tickets will be made available to other clubs shortly.
Chris Bowran provided an update on our Sharing our Skills project which we run in partnership with Richmond School. Each year a number of pupils in first year of A levels are welcomed to the club after New Year for 3 months to learn about how an organisation operates by attending our meetings and taking part in our activities. This also provides them with an introduction to understanding and addressing women’s issues. Chris has had an initial meeting with 8 students who are interested in joining us from next January.
Items from our “shopping list” were also donated at the meeting towards equipping our sponsored flat run by EVA women’s aid. Sandy Baxter also sold some Harris Tweed Christmas Robins in aid of SI Harare’s work in Zimbabwe, together with some leftover canvas bags from our STEM events, raising £23.
£200 has been passed to Richmond Landscape Trust from our SI Centenary tree planting initiative. After difficulty in obtaining the saplings (having been let down by suppliers), the Trust now aims to plant our 3 lime trees before Christmas.
We have also bought a clothes rail which will be placed in Colburn Community Centre for donated warm clothing to be made available to those in need this winter.