Award winning, Welsh choir, Only Men Aloud have chosen Alzheimer’s Society Cymru as their ‘Charity of the Year’ and have marked the occasion by becoming Dementia Friends.
Members of Only Men Aloud joined Alzheimer’s Society Cymru staff and volunteers in Cardiff on Tuesday 21 March to take part in a Dementia Friends information session to learn more about the condition which affects over 45,000 people in Wales. They then performed a few of their songs to a crowd of volunteers and staff.
Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Friends programme is the biggest ever initiative to change people’s perceptions of dementia. It aims to transform the way the nation thinks, talks and acts about the condition. It was launched to tackle the stigma and lack of understanding that means many people with the condition experience loneliness and social exclusion. There are over 68,000 Dementia Friends in Wales.
Only Men Aloud chose Alzheimer’s Society Cymru as their Charity of the Year after hearing about the Dementia Friends initiative.
Craig Yates, from Only Men Aloud said; “We all were really keen to support Alzheimer’s Society Cymru this year as our charity of the year. Many people who we know have been affected by dementia and we want to help raise awareness and funds to support people who are living with the condition. We are really proud to now call ourselves Dementia Friends as the first step in our partnership with the charity.”
Paula Langston, Regional Fundraising Manager for Alzheimer’s Society Cymru added;
“It’s wonderful news that Only Men Aloud, who have a strong presence in Wales and are known and loved by many, have chosen us as their Charity of The Year. Dementia could affect us all is so having the support of a high profile Welsh choir will help us raise much needed awareness and vital funds to find a cure and improve support and care. We look forward to working together, united against dementia for the year ahead.”
If you would like to become a Dementia Friend or for more information visit www.dementiafriends.org.uk
