Clwyd West MS Darren Millar called at Tesco in Abergele this week to visit the Dementia Bus and to find out more about how it has been helping people to gain a greater understanding of what it is like to live with dementia.
Training to Care’s Dementia Bus is a scientifically and medically proven way of replicating dementia. Those who undergo it begin with gearing up: goggles, headphones and spiky insoles. They’re then asked to perform various tasks, but with a twist. Distorted vision, loud noises and sensory overload all recreate what it’s like to have dementia. Suddenly, those everyday tasks we take for granted aren’t so simple.
On Thursday, Darren called at the store to visit the bus and to speak to a couple of the members of Dementia Friendly Abergele (DFA), Melanie Gizzi, Dementia Friends Ambassador and Steering Group Member, and Chairman Dave Gozzard.
Speaking after his visit, Darren said:
“The Dementia Bus is specifically designed to improve people’s understanding of dementia and is unlike any training course.
“When a person gets a diagnosis of Dementia, those around them get the diagnosis too. They go through all the worry, upset and fear as well.
“The Virtual Tour Bus gives people a window into the world of people living with dementia.
“It is a fantastic facility and can help those who are caring for someone with dementia to get a better concept of how it feels, then they may be more understanding, more patient, more caring, more considerate and feel more able to care for their loved one.
“It really is a useful tool for families and loved ones who are caring for someone with dementia, and I thank Dementia Friendly Abergele for arranging for it to visit Abergele.”
During Darren’s visit, Dementia Friendly Abergele were presented with a cheque for £1,000 from the Tesco Abergele’s Community Champion Michelle Sweet. The money was raised from the book stall inside the supermarket, where people can drop off and pick up books for a donation for charitable causes.
Darren added:
“I would like to thank Tesco for this generous donation to Dementia Friendly Abergele. I know that through their community grants they are helping so many schools, groups and organisations in the area.
“Tesco cares passionately about their community and the role they can play in supporting it.”
Melanie Gizzi, Dementia Friends Ambassador and Steering Group Member said:
“We were thrilled to see the VDT Bus almost at full capacity - an incredible opportunity to share knowledge that will ripple outwards.
“Also, the generous cheque from Tesco was a fabulous surprise! This will help us launch our next projects in the community, such as the Memory Café and old movie screenings at Yr Hen Ysgol. We are now welcoming volunteer enquiries from the public to support these initiatives.”
