Visit to a climbing workshop with Younger People With Dementia

Paul Griffiths and Ali Cann, representatives from the Foundation, visited a climbing workshop run by Younger People With Dementia ("YPWD") in Wokingham recently, one of the charities we have been delighted to provide funding to.

Younger People With Dementia has been providing unique, age-appropriate care, respite, health, and wellbeing support for those diagnosed with Young Onset Dementia (YOD) for the past 11 years. They are the only service dedicated to this age group serving the areas of East Berkshire, West Berkshire, Surrey Heath, Farnham and NE Hampshire.

YPWD supports in the region of 125 people living with YOD along with support and respite for their carers/spouses. They provide a combination of one-to-one and group support, activities and workshops, education and training, and carer wellbeing and respite.

We were thrilled to present Caroline Blanchette (Joint Director of Clinical and Operational Services Charity Director) with a cheque which will be used to fund equine therapy for people with YOD and their carers.

The funding will enable YPWD to provide 12 weekly equine therapy sessions to small groups of 8 people at a time, plus their carers, including transport and refreshments. Sessions will be supported by YPWD support workers so that beneficiaries can get the most out of the activities and feel safe and supported by people they trust and who know them well. The sessions will take place at Ravenswood Village in Berkshire – a trusted organisation that specialises in this work.

It was an absolute privilege to spend time with the group, support workers and Caroline learning about the incredible work that the charity does.

We look forward to hearing about the equine therapy sessions and the benefits that they bring to all involved.

Thank you to YPWD for having us. Find out more about the organisation and opportunities to support here.