Burntwood Dementia Friendly Community

25/06/2026

These services are wonderful

🎵 Dementia Friendly Songs of Praise 🎵

📅 Wednesday 1 July, 10:45
📍 Lichfield Cathedral
☕ Refreshments afterwards

Come and join us for a relaxed Songs of Praise service with plenty of favourite hymns to sing together.

The service lasts around 40 minutes and everyone is welcome.

To find out more or let us know you're coming, email [email protected].

23/06/2026

Do you know how to spot the signs of dementia?

In the early stages, symptoms can be subtle, easily overlooked and mistaken as part of ageing. Memory problems, confusion, or changes in mood and behaviour may not always raise immediate concern.

But noticing these changes matters.

It might not be dementia, but if it is, getting support early can make a real difference. An early diagnosis can help people access the right care, treatment, and guidance when they need it most.

If you recognise any of the signs in yourself or someone you care about, don’t ignore them – take that next step and speak to your GP.

You’re not alone 💙

[Image description: An infographic titled ‘Signs and symptoms of dementia’ features a light grey background and 10 navy blue illustrations accompanying each sign and symptom. From top right to bottom left, they read:Getting lost; Difficulty judging distances; Memory loss; Struggling to find the right word; Becoming easily upset; Struggling to make decisions; Acting inappropriately; Repeating questions and phrases; Putting objects in unusual places and Losing track of time and dates.]

19/06/2026

Feature length documentary created for Channel 4 in association with Alzheimer’s Society
For decades he told the world’s stories, now Jon Snow is sharing his own to help break the stigma that surrounds dementia. A condition that around 1 million people across the UK are living with.

Whilst coming to terms with his Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis, Jon tackles one last big investigation in this new feature length documentary.

Watch Jon Snow: A Last Big Story on Saturday 20 June at 8pm on Channel 4, or stream later on Channel 4.

07/06/2026

The science of colours, see below for more useful information 💙

Why does a person with dementia walk past the bathroom?

Why do they say there is no food on the plate when the plate is full?

Why do they refuse to step on a dark rug?

The answer may be hiding in plain sight: color.

As dementia progresses, the brain doesn’t just lose memory. It also becomes less efficient at processing visual information. The brain may struggle to distinguish similar colors, judge depth, recognize objects, and interpret what the eyes are seeing.

This is why the dementia brain often depends on color and contrast to make sense of the world.

A white toilet against a white floor may seem to disappear.

A white plate on a white tablecloth may look empty.

A dark rug may be perceived as a hole in the ground.

A bathroom door painted a contrasting color may suddenly become easier to find.

Color becomes a form of communication.

🔴 Red calls for attention.

🔵 Blue promotes orientation and calm.

🟢 Green supports comfort and restoration.

🟡 Yellow improves visibility and clarity.

The real secret, however, is not color alone. It is contrast.

The dementia brain often sees contrast better than subtle shades. When important objects stand out from their surroundings, the brain spends less energy trying to interpret the environment and more energy engaging with life.

This is why dementia-friendly design is not simply about making a home beautiful.

It is about making a home understandable.

Small changes can make a remarkable difference:

✔ Contrasting plates at mealtimes

✔ Colorful bathroom doors

✔ Furniture that stands out from walls

✔ Good lighting with reduced glare

✔ Clear visual cues throughout the home

When we understand how the dementia brain sees the world, we can create environments that reduce frustration, increase independence, and preserve dignity.

Because sometimes the most powerful intervention is not a medication.

Sometimes it is simply helping the brain see.

“The dementia brain works harder to understand the world. Color is not decoration. It is communication.”

Meri L. Gaumond

brainhealth aging occupationaltherapy dementiafriendlydesign neuroscience

05/06/2026

🍽️ THE DEMENTIA FRIENDLY TABLE SETTING

Did you know that sometimes people living with dementia eat less, not because they are not hungry, but because they have difficulty seeing the food?

As dementia progresses, the brain can have trouble distinguishing objects from their background. White rice on a white plate. White fish on a white tablecloth. A busy patterned placemat. Multiple utensils. Decorative centerpieces.

What looks beautiful to us may feel confusing to the changing brain.

Now look at the dementia friendly table.

A solid colored placemat.

A brightly contrasting plate.

Simple place settings.

Good lighting.

Minimal distractions.

The food stands out.

The brain can focus on what matters.

The meal.

This is not stubbornness.

This is not a lack of appetite.

This is neurology.

The dementia brain works harder to process visual information. When we reduce visual clutter and increase contrast, we make eating easier, more successful, and more enjoyable.

Research has shown that high contrast plates, particularly red plates, may help some people living with dementia increase food intake because meals become easier to identify and navigate.

And remember, mealtime is about more than nutrition.

It is about dignity.

It is about pleasure.

It is about family.

It is about sitting together and sharing life.

Sometimes the simplest changes create the greatest success.

A different plate.

A calmer table.

A brighter room.

A better meal.

🏡 Courtesy of Dementia Care at Home™

Creating environments the changing brain can understand.

❤️ Good table design nourishes more than the body.

It nourishes dignity.

caregiversupport

28/05/2026

We are conducting a survey on your perceptions and understanding of dementia.

Your answers will help us improve local support, raise awareness, and make sure our community has the right resources across .

📝 The survey only takes a few minutes, and all responses are anonymous.

➡️ Find the link to the survey in the comments.

21/05/2026

These are my favourite photos of the matron and nurse enactment at Magnolia Friends 💚 “ Mischief “ ending to the activities celebrating DEMENTIA ACTION WEEK
Thank you to all involved it was wonderful 💙👏🌟💙👏🌟💙👏💙🌟

21/05/2026

This morning I was at Burntwood Rugby Club for a workshop by Rachel Savage from Vamos Theatre entitled “ Listening with your eyes”

Listening with your Eyes 👀 helps develop skills of empathy, insight, listening and trust-building, particularly in the arena of health and care.

Suitable for all experiences, it explores practically the many ways in which connections are made with the emphasis on the non-verbal.

It looks at the impact of body language, mood, eye-contact, touch, and gesture. The workshop offers an opportunity for participants to see the powerful effect of non-verbal techniques, and their benefit in helping us make real and honest connections – particularly with those living with dementia. 💙

This afternoon I joined Magnolia Friends 💚with Rachel, Ona and Abbie from Vamos Theatre for an interactive performance “Making Mischief” which was created for people with sensory issues, learning disabilities, autism and those living with dementia. It was 60 minutes of pure joy with interactive sensory play. My favourite part was the masked nurse and matron it was hilarious 👏😂🤣😅

Huge thanks to Vamos Theatre, The Garrick Lichfield, Creative Burntwood and Burntwood Town Council for today’s activities in Dementia Awareness Week 2026, it was AMAZING

21/05/2026

Bank Holiday advice from WMAS:

With GP surgeries, pharmacies and other services running reduced hours during Bank Holiday weekends, here’s some simple steps you can take to protect your health and those of loved ones whilst also keeping our 999 lines free for those who need our help the most:

Order any repeat prescriptions early so that you have enough supply over the extended weekend.

Be prepared for common illnesses and injuries by keeping a well-stocked medicine cabinet at home:
Call or visit NHS 111 online to get medical help for your symptoms, particularly if you cannot contact your GP during the day, or when your GP or local pharmacy is closed (out-of-hours).
Check on vulnerable or elderly friends, neighbours and neighbours to make sure they have everything they need.

If you’re planning on travelling during the Bank Holiday weekend:
Read advice about warm weather and cold weather.

21/05/2026

We use the Reminiscence Boxes at our Memory Cafe in Burntwood Library led by Helena from Home Instead Cannock & Burntwood.
The contents spark memories, chatter and laughter. They are a wonderful resource. 💙👏

This week is Dementia Awareness Week 💙

Our Residential Homes Library Service supports people living with dementia in care homes, day centres and memory cafés through engaging, easy-to-use resources.

From reminiscence boxes and music to large print books and audiobooks, our materials are designed to spark memories, encourage conversation and bring comfort and connection.

If you are a care home or organisation and would like to join the Residential Homes Library Service, please get in touch for more information.

[email protected]