This Dementia Action Week (19th – 25th May), specialist dementia nursing charity Dementia UK will launch the second series of its podcast ‘My life with dementia,’ hosted by charity ambassador and award-winning journalist and podcaster, Marianne Jones.
The second series follows a successful first series last year, hosted by actor Jim Broadbent.
The podcast features the stories of people who have experienced the condition themselves, people living with a diagnosis, people who have found themselves in a caring role they never expected, and people who are grieving the loss of a loved one.
Each story episode will be followed by an episode with practical advice from the charity’s dementia specialist Admiral Nurses. Through this, listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the condition from multiple perspectives – as well as invaluable insights, empathy, and hope.
One in two of us will be affected by dementia in our lifetime. Either by caring for someone with the condition, developing it ourselves, or both. However, too often the voices of those impacted by the condition go unheard.
Michaela Williams features in the new podcast series. When her grandmother, Vanda, was diagnosed with vascular dementia, she felt her world come crashing down. She set up The Spring Bleau Dementia Café in her beloved grandmother’s honour to help support other families facing dementia. She said:
“I tell everyone that comes to the café to use Dementia UK’s Admiral Nurses. It’s a service that’s there, it’s a service that’s free and it’s a service that’s vital for helping people move through their journey with dementia. That is why I am taking part in Dementia UK’s new podcast. I want to share my story with others and bring attention to the brilliant services available through the charity.”
Marianne Jones is a journalist and podcaster with a career spanning over three decades in national women’s lifestyle media. She is best known for her role as former editor of The Telegraph Saturday Magazine and Sunday Telegraph Stella Magazine. In addition to writing about fashion and lifestyle, Marianne has also spoken openly and honestly about her experience of dementia following her late mum Maria’s diagnosis of vascular dementia.
Celebrity ambassador, Marianne Jones said: “I’m thrilled to be involved with Dementia UK’s new podcast series. It is important to listen to the voices of those who are living with dementia and those who care for and support their loved ones, as too often they are not heard.
“Half of the UK population will be affected by dementia in some way during their lifetime – my lovely mum lived with it for five years and it affected the entire family. A podcast is such an easy, comforting way to absorb information that is sometimes difficult and emotional. I hope that by listening to the stories, shared experiences and advice on the podcast, it will help to take away some of the fear and stigma.”
Dr Hilda Hayo, Chief Admiral Nurse and CEO at Dementia UK, said: “We are excited to be launching our second podcast series, shining a light on the stories of people impacted by dementia. We know that too often families with dementia feel isolated and alone, without the support they need. We hope the new series will allow people to find connection through shared experience as well as raise vital awareness of the challenges facing families with dementia today.”
The second podcast series will be available on all major podcast platforms from Wednesday 21st May.
Subscribe to ‘My life with dementia’ on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts to listen to new episodes as soon as they come out.
You can find out more about the podcast on the Dementia UK website: dementiauk.org/dementia-podcast/
If you need advice or support on living with dementia, contact Dementia UK’s Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline on 0800 888 6678 or email helpline@dementiauk.org
