Charity expands dementia help kit scheme

The initiative, already established in West Lindsey, East Lindsey and Boston, is being rolled out in Grimsby.

A scheme aimed at supporting people with dementia in Lincolnshire is expanding.

Chris Suich, from Louth, launched the charity Bob's Brainwaves in 2023, with the aim of providing free kits to help people with dementia and their families.

The initiative, which is already established in West Lindsey, East Lindsey and Boston, is now being rolled out in Grimsby.

The packs include important forms, as well as notes to use around the home such as "lock the door" and "don't turn this off" for freezers.

The charity is named after Mrs Suich's husband, Bob, who was a leisure and tourism officer for East Lindsey District Council before being diagnosed with amnesia at the age of 59 and dementia three years later.

Mrs Suich cared for him for nine years before he went into a care home in 2020.

She said finding out about her husband's diagnosis was "lonely" and "bewildering".

Talking about the care pack scheme, she said: "The NHS does its thing, charities work on their own. This pack is using all the resources and putting them together in one place."

"There's such a demand for people who need a pack. Carers and families have been saying the pack is a godsend," she added.

Fundraiser Fay Gorwood says the packs are extremely important

A launch event was held on Thursday at the Centre4 community centre in Grimsby.

Fay Gorwood, 85, who cared for her husband before his death 16 years ago, fundraises for the charity.

Speaking at the launch event, she said: "Chris is doing such good work that I wanted to be of assistance to her.

"The pack she created is extremely important because you haven't got the time to do the research when you're looking after somebody with dementia," she added.

Packs are available from the Alzheimer's Society office in Grimsby and Navigo Health and Social Care.

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