Bike and banter event held for dementia sufferers

Twenty people attended the session in Oxford

A 'Bike and Banter' event for people with young onset dementia has been held.

The session, organised by Dementia Oxfordshire, was for adults who have been diagnosed before the age of 65.

It provided them with a chance to get back in the saddle, whilst meeting new people who also suffer with the disease.

Twenty people from across Oxfordshire attended the session at Horspath Athletics and Sports Ground in Oxford.

Young onset dementia adviser at Dementia Oxfordshire, Lisa Inglis, said: “When someone has a diagnosis of young onset dementia, they often think that they have to give up some of the things they really enjoy, but often that’s not the case.

“Cycling is such a big part of Oxford’s culture, and many of the people we support have enjoyed cycling for many years," she added.

Dementia Oxfordshire, a service provided by the county's Age UK branch, is partly funded by Oxfordshire County Council.

Cllr Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for adult social care, said: "We’re always looking for new and innovative ways to deliver social care support closer to home, enabling people to live well and independently within their own communities."

He said the Bike and Banter event was a "great example", that offered "practical support" as well as an "opportunity to come together and share experiences with other people going through similar things".

The event was just one of various that Dementia Oxfordshire organise who develop the condition early in life.

Around 70,000 people nationally have young onset dementia.