Leisure centres open their doors for free in aid of National Dementia Carers’ Day
Email: mickferris@yellowad.co.uk
- Come on Eileen - 03/12/2023
- It happened today – this day in history – December 2 - 02/12/2023
- Gunman convicted of 2022 murder in Walthamstow - 29/11/2023
People in Havering affected by dementia are being invited to get active for free this weekend.
Everyone Active is offering people who live with dementia and their carers complimentary access to its leisure centres from September 7-8. The goodwill gesture has been made in support of National Dementia Carers’ Day (Sunday September 8).
Over the weekend, local people who are affected by dementia can gain free-of-charge access to the gyms and public swimming sessions at Central Park Leisure Centre, Hornchurch Sports Complex, and Sapphire Ice and Leisure.
An estimated 850,000 people in the UK are currently living with dementia, and many of those rely on the support and care of friends and family. National Dementia Carers Day takes place within Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. It was founded by the Alzheimer’s Society, Dementia UK and SweetTree Home Care Services to recognise the vital role of carers and the tireless work they do to look after their loved ones.
As well as the physical benefits of being active, exercise can offer valuable opportunities to socialise, which is beneficial to both those with dementia and their carers.
Michael Hindmarsh, regional activities manager at Everyone Active, said: “We work in hundreds of communities across the country and we’re determined to support all the people who live within them to be active. Having dementia or caring for someone who does can impact all aspects of life. We want to play our part in ensuring people have the opportunity to enjoy physical activity regardless of their circumstances.
“Because their work is so often done in a voluntary capacity, there is no official way of identifying dementia carers. We will welcome anyone who attends our centre and says they are a dementia carer to enjoy our facilities free of charge for the weekend.”
Everyone wanting to use the centre as part of this scheme will need to fill in the necessary Health & Safety forms and watch the online induction before being granted free access. For more information, visit www.everyoneactive.com
