Gain a greater understanding of dementia symptoms and the challenges they pose using a cardboard headset during the drop-in event on Thursday 24 May.

A screening of Oscar-winning film 'Still Alice' and free tea, coffee and cake will also be on offer at the event which is taking place between 10am and 3pm in association with Woolwich Centre library. 

Lots of free activities

Other attractions will include the chance to try out a ToverTafel which projects fun games onto a table to stimulate physical and cognitive activity for people with dementia.

Attendees will also be able to listen to episodes of the 'Talking Life on Tour' podcast, which explores the personal stories of people living with dementia and their loved ones.

People will be able to find out more about the seven businesses and services across the borough which have received recognition for being dementia inclusive.

'Help gain a better understanding'

Simon Pearce, Director of Health and Adult Services, said: "Dementia affects much more than just your memory - planning, making decisions, concentration, spatial navigation and calculation are all made more difficult. I hope that our interactive event will help residents gain a better understanding of the symptoms that people with dementia face, especially as around 850,000 people in the UK are living with dementia and it is estimated that one in 14 people over 65 will develop it.

"At least 42,000 people in the UK experience early-onset dementia which starts before the age of 65, so we hope people of all ages will come along to find out what the symptoms are and what support is available."

Royal Greenwich's free drop-in event is part of the Council and partners' on-going efforts to support and work with people with dementia and family carers and make everyday life easier for them by becoming a 'dementia friendly and inclusive' borough.

Businesses join in

Businesses and services are being offered advice on how to make their service better for people with dementia by improving layouts, signage and access, along with free training for staff. Once a business has fulfilled their commitments to be dementia friendly and inclusive they will receive a 'dementia inclusive' sticker to display in their window to help people with dementia and their friends and family easily find a recommended place to shop, eat, drink and visit.

The Council has previously signed up to the dementia pledge for employers. This includes a commitment to publicly demonstrate the commitment to improve dementia services and try to develop small improvements into cultural change.

To find out more, email dementia@royalgreenwich.gov.uk.