Jeremy Hunt with Tim, Helping Hands CEO
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt today attended a dementia workshop in Godalming, Surrey, the first of its kind run by the national home care specialist Helping Hands.
The workshop, hosted by the Helping Hands Godalming branch for families in the area who are concerned about loved ones living with dementia, comes recently after the town has been awarded ‘dementia-friendly’ status.
Dementia currently affects 850,000 people in the UK and is predicted to rise to over 1 million by 2025. As well as explaining about the level of support Helping Hands can provide, the workshop also featured a simulated dementia experience so attendees could learn first-hand about the effects that dementia can cause.
Jeremy Hunt came away from the event describing Helping Hands as the “experts in home care”.
The event was also attended by Helping Hands CEO, Tim Lee, Deputy Mayor of Godalming, Nick Williams, and Deputy Mayoress, Jeanne Williams.
Tim said: “It’s been an absolute privilege to host the workshop and to demonstrate the help and support that is available to those families who are affected by dementia.
“We’re also proud to have hosted it in a town like Godalming, which is really going places to help people with the condition enjoy what the town has to offer.
A simulated dementia experience
“Our carers receive the best training from our experts so they can help to improve the quality of life for each of our customers. It’s a great pleasure to share this knowledge and expertise with families in the area. With a condition like dementia, these insights really do go a long way.”
The event also involved a raffle to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society, with prizes donated by the town’s local businesses.
Helping Hands is a family-run home care company that has been supporting individuals to live independently in their own homes since 1989 and is one of the longest standing home care providers in the UK. The company is fully regulated to provide care in the home across England and Wales.
All of Helping Hands’ carers undertake training on dementia and the effects it can have on individuals and their families. The training covers everything from personal care, basic first aid, administering medication and safely using hoists, right through to learning how to establish a familiar and comfortable routine.
Helping Hands has 70 branches across England and Wales, one of which is the home care Guildford & Godalming branch in Queen Street, Godalming.
For more information about Helping Hands, please call 01483 667 827.
