I would like to say on behalf of my father and myself how the support of Hertswise during the pandemic has been brilliant, from the phone calls regularly to the packages.

Dad is now able to attend his dementia group run by Connor. He has been in contact regularly with my Dad and has given him confidence to return to a much needed service. Dad really enjoys the quizzes and the chance to chat with people.

Connor also managed to secure Dad a tablet from Age UK Hertfordshire to use and to help with social interaction and this enabled him to join the Zoom groups before attending physically. Connor, where possible, has always made sure Dad is comfortable at the group and has contacted me to update me on how he has been at the sessions.

This service is brilliant for people especially if living on there own. Thank you for all the hard work!!!

Victoria Port, Locality Worker for North Hertfordshire, spoke to some clients within her dementia group about their experiences living with dementia.

Q: What would you say to your past self on the day you got your diagnosis?

A – Colvin: You did the right thing, you will feel so much reassurance from a diagnosis and knowing what it is that is wrong with you. Well done for getting help. Make the most of your time and do what you can.

Q: What do you think people most misunderstand about dementia?

A – Colvin: People don’t always believe I have it. Sometimes I make a mistake or find it hard to find the right words, it’s not always just about remembering things. People aren’t aware that people live well with Dementia and can still do the things they love.

A – Jan: People don’t acknowledge I have it. They pretend that nothing is wrong or expect me to remember everything that they have said. Sometimes they don’t think I behave like someone who has dementia, or they forget so they aren’t quite as patient.

If you or your loved one are living with dementia and would benefit from extra support, why not try our dementia support hubs across Hertfordshire.

With our dementia hubs slowly re-opening across Hertfordshire, with restrictions and PPE in place, our clients were asked what piece of advice would you give your younger self.

Daughter Debbie, speaks to our team member, Anne-Marie, about how without her Hertswise group, she may not have known how she would have seen lockdown through.

“Since joining the memory group a few months before lockdown, our Zoom meeting with Anne-Marie has been so much fun and such a unexpected experience that my mother and I have come to rely on for support and comfort in these unprecedented times.”

“We have built such a warm friendship group which, without Anne-Marie’s commitment each week, would not have evolved. I can’t wait to see each other face-to-face and continue to have laughs and look back at the year 2020.”

Mother Maggie and daughter Debbie.