Free, specialist dementia support clinics are now available in Wrexham, thanks to a vital collaboration between Nationwide and Dementia UK. These face-to-face sessions are designed to offer crucial assistance to individuals living with the condition, as well as their families and caregivers, providing a much-needed local resource for community health.
Hosted by Dementia UK’s highly skilled Admiral Nurses, these clinics provide a secure, comfortable, and confidential environment. Attendees can openly discuss any aspect of dementia, accessing expert guidance and emotional support tailored to their specific needs. The presence of these Admiral Nurses ensures a professional and compassionate approach to care.
Debbie Crosbie, Chief Executive Officer of Nationwide, emphasized the building society’s profound commitment to improving lives. She stated that by working hand-in-hand with Dementia UK, Nationwide aims to fund more Admiral Nurses and transform its branches into accessible dementia clinics, directly confronting dementia, which is sadly a leading cause of death in the country.
This initiative in Wrexham is part of Nationwide’s expansive social impact programme, ‘Fairer Futures,’ a nationwide effort. Through this program, Nationwide is generously funding 30 dedicated dementia specialist Admiral Nurse posts across the UK, alongside hosting 200 pop-up clinics in various branches, significantly expanding vital support services.
The urgency of this support is underscored by concerning statistics: someone develops dementia every three minutes in the UK. Obtaining an accurate diagnosis can frequently pose a significant challenge, making early intervention and accessible professional guidance critically important for those impacted by the condition.
Ahead of these essential appointments, Dementia UK, a leading specialist dementia nursing charity, has offered valuable advice on initiating discussions about dementia with a loved one. They suggest explaining that symptoms can overlap with other conditions, encouraging medical advice from a GP, and highlighting how a prompt diagnosis can lead to quicker access to appropriate support.
Ruby Guild, an Admiral Nurse at Dementia UK, expressed enthusiasm for returning to Wales, acknowledging that Nationwide branches offer an ideal, familiar, and private setting for individuals to receive specialized dementia support. This ‘Fairer Futures’ partnership is instrumental in bringing face-to-face assistance directly to people within their local community.
Beyond dementia, Nationwide’s ‘Fairer Futures’ initiative tackles three other critical social issues in the UK through strategic charity partnerships: family poverty with Action for Children, youth homelessness with Centrepoint, and cancer support with The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. This comprehensive approach exemplifies Nationwide’s dedication to societal well-being.
