Dementia club urges more people to become members

Peter and Shirley said Betty's Club gave them a chance to get out of the house and meet people

People affected by dementia and their carers are being encouraged to get involved with a new support group.

Betty's Club in Burnham Market, Norfolk supports those with conditions affecting memory and cognition, who want to stay connected with others.

Based at the Burnhams Surgery, it was established after a legacy donation from former patient Betty Sargent and offers activities such as crafting.

Existing members of the group have praised staff and volunteers but one trustee said finding new members was not easy because of the "stigma" surrounding dementia.

Organiser Sarah Reed and her volunteers want more people to join Betty's Club

Organiser Sarah Reed said it was her own experience with her mother that led her to become so interested in dementia care.

She said: "My dad rang me and said Mum's had a diagnosis of dementia and I really didn't know what dementia was.

"I thought, I don't know this person, I left home very young, and now I'm going to lose her.

Ms Reed said the key to caring for a person with dementia is getting to know them and communicating with them in a way that they can connect with.

Organiser Sarah Reed said the group had organised a photographic display about members' lives

Lesley Nadel is a trustee for the Burnham Surgery Community Healthcare Trust, which owns the building in which Betty's Club is run.

She is hoping they can help more people in the sessions.

"It is increasingly well-used but dementia, it has a stigma still associated with it," she said.

"It requires a lot of hard work to try to find these people."

Husband and wife Peter and Shirley, both in their 90s and living in Burnham Market, said Betty's Club had been a great support to them both.

"It's a big break for both of us. We're just a walk away and the staff and volunteers are just brilliant."