Dementia Jersey swim challenge completed

Dementia Jersey set its social swimming group the challenge of swimming 65km (40 miles)

A Jersey dementia charity is celebrating after carers and clients completed a swimming challenge.

Dementia Jersey set their social swimming group the challenge of swimming 65km (40 miles) - the distance people swim around the island.

The group meets once a week to swim for half an hour at AquaSplash in St Helier to stay active and healthy.

The challenge took 22 weeks to complete.

'Cognitively stimulated'

Susie Kelly, the charity's activities and volunteer coordinator, said the challenge made a big difference to people living with dementia.

"There's a social aspect is really important for anyone living after a diagnosis of dementia," she said.

"It also keeps them active and cognitively stimulated because they're having to move their arms and legs at the same time.

"They're getting out the house and maybe doing something they used to love doing before."

The dementia patients and their carers were rewarded with special certificates and chocolate Easter eggs after completing the challenge.

Angela Leybourne, who volunteers with the group called SplashChat, said: "I have a family member who has vascular dementia and I wanted to do something to help others with the condition.

"We also laugh an awful lot and I think it makes a big difference to everybody."