On Monday 10th October, our Year 2 Health and Social Care students completed a sponsored memory walk to fundraise for Alzheimer’s Society. As part of their course, students are currently learning about supporting people with dementia. These students collectively decided to raise vital funds and awareness within our community.  

Alzheimer’s Society is an important source of support for those living with dementia and their carers. Ensuring their rights are protected and enhanced by campaigning, so that investment can be made in research.  

Learning about supporting people with dementia is a topic our Health and Social Care students are currently studying. Students and staff will also benefit from attending a session with a representative from Alzheimer’s Society to train them to become Dementia Friends.  

Lisa Bossons, Teacher of Health and Social Care, said, “I have been heartened by the response from our learners wanting to do something good, to help this great cause. Our students will be able to use this experience to show their involvement in the local community when applying for future careers and university. 

She added, “After half term, a charity representative is coming into college to train the students and teachers involved; to become Dementia Friends. That way, our students can promote the need for understanding and kindness when coming across people with one of the many conditions associated with dementia.” 

Year 2 Health and Social Care student Amanda Passam commented, “I decided to fundraise for Alzheimer’s Society because it is a serious and common illness that not everyone is fully aware of. Fundraising to support the charity raises awareness, generates money for resources for people living with Alzheimer’s, and goes towards research. 

“I am already aware of Alzheimer’s, but I learned much more about it in my lesson; how it is one of the most common forms of dementia, how many people have dementia, and how it impacts the individual and their family and friends.  

“I enjoyed this fundraiser; it was great to be part of something bigger than myself or a course at college. Everyone was involved, from students doing the walk, to family members and friends sponsoring. The money raised will help the charity to get resources for people with Alzheimer’s and help the individual and their family members get support. It will also help with research in the hope that one day, we will find a solution that can help prevent this terrible disease; because no one deserves to lose a loved one, especially to Alzheimer’s.” 

In total, the students raised over £400! If you would like to support them, you can donate via their Just Giving link Lisa Bossons is fundraising for Alzheimer’s Society (justgiving.com) 

You can also find out more about the Alzheimer’s Society by visiting, www.alzheimers.org.uk