Julian Knight, the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Solihull, has become a ‘dementia friend’ after hosting an event to raise dementia awareness in Solihull.
The specially invited audience took part in a workshop on how to spot the signs of dementia and better understand the challenges faced by patients and carers. For example, a person with dementia might look at a black carpet and have their brain interpret it as a hole in the ground, and without an understanding of dementia this can be baffling to carers.
Julian was inspired to take action after he successfully campaigned to keep dementia care services at Solihull Hospital last year, achieving massive local support and taking the case to the Health Minister. The campaign to save Ward Ten at Solihull Hospital became viral with the campaign Facebook page achieving more than 25,000 hits and over 1,000 people signing Julian’s petition.
Julian says: "Like most people my life had been touched by dementia and I think it is fantastic that as a society we are really starting to talk openly about this condition and appreciating the army of carers who are doing so much work for our loved ones day in day out.
"I had huge feedback from my dementia ward ten campaign last year and I wanted to carry on the debate and raise awareness by hosting this event. I am delighted to have become a dementia friend and urge others to do likewise. Together we can truly help and show love to those who are living with dementia in Solihull."