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Carers urged to take ‘Time for a Cuppa’ as part of charity event

Carers and people with dementia in Sandwell are being invited to enjoy a cuppa and a slice of cake next week as part of a national fundraising and awareness campaign.

Accord Housing Association is inviting everyone who attends their regular dementia café support groups, and new attendees, to come together for a one-off special event in aid of Dementia UK’s ‘Time for a Cuppa’ event.

Each year, Dementia UK hosts its ‘Time for a Cuppa’ event in a bid to raise funds to support its vital work and raise awareness of the condition, which affects 750,000 people in the UK.

Accord Housing Association will host its own event as part of the campaign on Monday, 27 February at the West Bromwich Community Centre in Gayton Road.

Visitors to the event will be able to enjoy a cup of tea and cake, hear from a consultant psychiatrist and browse information stands. There will also be a fun ‘Time for a Cuppa’ bingo session, cupcake decorating and a raffle at the event, which will run from 2pm to 4pm.

Nicole Beeching, Health and Well-being Manager at Accord Housing Association, said: “We are really pleased to support Dementia UK’s ‘Time for a Cuppa’ event and we hope to not only raise money for the charity but also awareness of their work and dementia in general.

“To really make a difference to people who live with or care for someone with dementia, it’s vital that we continue to talk about the condition openly and offer support and advice on a regular basis.”

Accord Housing Association hosts six monthly dementia café support groups across Sandwell, aimed at the 3,200 people in the borough who are affected by the condition.

Launched in January last year, the drop-in style cafés bring together people with dementia, their families and health professionals to provide support to those living with the condition.

Symptoms of dementia can include loss of memory, confusion and problems with speech and understanding.

For more information about the ‘Time for a Cuppa’ event or Accord’s dementia cafés, call Janine Hayes on 0300 111 7000 or 07557 153 571, email dementiacafes@accordha.org.uk or visit accordgroup.org.uk/dementia_cafes