Residents and staff at an East Dorset dementia care home stepped out to help community partners raise awareness of the condition.
A party from Colten Care’s Fernhill in Longham hit the streets to join the seven-mile Ferndown Memory Walk alongside representatives from businesses, fellow care providers and other organisations.
The route, which took in various stops including at the Ringwood Road home, was in support of the Ferndown Dementia Friendly Town (FDFT) initiative.
As with similar initiatives across the country, FDFT aims to educate the community about dementia, provide inclusive and accessible activities and ensure people living with dementia and their carers can help shape local service planning and decision-making.
Starting at 10am, walkers enjoyed refreshments along the way before finishing with a well-earned celebratory lunch at FDFT’s community allotments, close to Fernhill.
It featured a buffet of quiches, sausage rolls and sandwiches prepared by Fernhill Chef Constantine Pacurar.
Wearing a blue Colten Care T-shirt and waving a pom pom to cheer on fellow strollers, Fernhill resident Kiki Tormey said of the walk: “What a wonderful thing to do.”
Kiki’s comment was echoed by Home Manager Lorraine Bell who said: “Being part of this was a special experience. Dementia care is a cause close to many hearts in our community and the Memory Walk brought together local businesses, families and residents in a powerful show of unity.”
Cara Duroe, Companionship Team Leader at Fernhill, said: “We’re so proud to support such a vital cause, walk the walk and stand together as a community in the fight against dementia.”
