Living with dementia magazine June 2012

Campaign and media groups have been meeting to share local achievements and have their say in future campaigning. Campaigns Officer Chris Kirby looks at what they do and how to get involved.

Our local campaign and media groups are at the heart of the campaigning work that we do as a Society, and they make a real difference to the lives of people affected by dementia.

We recently held events for members of different campaign and media groups to share their local achievements and to provide them with an opportunity to shape Alzheimer's Society's future work.

Real difference

In April, local groups from around the country took part in our latest Campaigners' Network days - one in Manchester for groups in the North and one in Reading for groups in the South. Campaigners from as far afield as Swansea and East Anglia came together to share ideas.

Both events featured presentations from local groups highlighting the various ways in which they are having a positive impact within their local communities. This ranged from working with local hospitals to ensure they have dementia champions on each ward, to liaising with local businesses to ensure that their services are dementia friendly.

As well as a valuable opportunity to meet other groups from around the country, the events also gave our campaigners the chance to influence our future campaigning work - having their say in how the Society approaches campaigns and how we can continue to make this as effective and accessible as possible for people with dementia.

Taking action

We have campaign and media groups across the country that influence local decision makers in a number of ways. They take action on key Alzheimer's Society campaigns and build relationships with elected representatives. The groups campaign on specific local issues, and members take action such as writing to local newspapers and creating awareness among friends and neighbours.

Our local campaigners also help to improve best practice and quality of care by working with hospitals and other service providers as well as by making links with the commissioners of these services.

Each group is different depending on specific local issues, but all work towards improving the lives of people with dementia and their families.

Get in touch

Through the Campaigners' Network we really can make a difference, but we need more volunteers to support our fight against dementia.

Whether it is because you think people with dementia deserve a better deal, or because you're looking to share your skills and develop new ones, we would like to hear from you.

Please call 020 7423 5128 or email campaignersnetwork@alzheimers.org.uk with details about where you live. We will then put you in touch with staff and volunteers who can tell you about opportunities in your area.

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