Impact review 2011/12

Linda Willis, 62, lives in Newport, Wales, and attends Alzheimer's Society art classes, choir and Memory Café. She also speaks at events about what it's like to live with dementia.

Watch Linda Willis talk about what it's like to live with dementia

You can also read the transcript of this film

What difference do the art classes, choir and Memory Café activities make to your life?

'They're all brilliant for boosting my confidence. I come away from my art classes and choir practice feeling like I've really achieved something. The choir has helped with my speech and memory too - I'm amazed that I can remember all the songs. Without the Alzheimer's Society group I definitely wouldn't socialise so much either. When I was first diagnosed with dementia it was so easy to go into myself and not to talk to anyone because it was difficult to say what I wanted to say. I'd worry people were judging me. I think I could have become reclusive if it wasn't for the group. It has helped me so much.'

How important is it for you to spend time with other people who also have dementia?

'The communication with other people who have similar problems is really important to me. We can help each other through the bad days because we understand each other - we have a bond. The group and the activities give us a chance to have conversations without our befrienders or carers, which is good sometimes. And it's important for the carers to spend time together too.'

Do you and your husband get any other support?

'I have a befriender, Leah, who comes once a week to take me out. We go shopping, to the pictures or for a walk or a coffee. It gets me out into the community and I feel safe with Leah. It's nice for my husband too. I can feel like I'm a burden on him sometimes and this gives him time to see his friends and do his own thing. He
doesn't have to worry about me when I'm with Leah.'

Do you think it's important to help other people understand what it's like to live with dementia?

'Definitely. Our choir performances help raise awareness of dementia and what people with the condition can achieve. People come up and talk to us afterwards and we tell people about the support that's available. When I've spoken about my experiences at Alzheimer's Society events, people have told me that they didn't realise what people with dementia go through. They've seen a different side. I speak from the heart. I tell them it's hard. I talk about the way other people treat you, how some try and take over and how frustrating that can be. I'm still a person, I can still think and still do things, maybe not so well but I can always ask if I need help. And I've had amazing support, which I'm really grateful for.'

 During the year

• We continued to grow our support services, and now have 2,143 across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. This includes 316 dementia cafés (236 on 1 April 2011), and 144 Singing for the Brain® groups (85 on 1 April 2011). 114,659 people benefitted from our services - an increase of 15% on last year.
• We evaluated six of our 53 (at 31 March 2012) befriending services in England and Wales and found that 90% of people who used the service said it helped them to feel less alone; 84% that it helped them feel listened to; and 81% that it helped them maintain or improve their independence.
• We continued to work with commissioners to demonstrate the need for dedicated services for younger people with dementia, such as our new and thriving service for this group in Gwent and Cardiff and the Vale, attended by Linda, featured here.
• We funded 23 new dementia support worker posts through our partnership with Tesco, helping over 840 more people during the year. At 31 March 2012 we had a total of 330 dementia support workers, providing one-to-one support for people with dementia and their families.
• The number of people using our online community, Talking Point, offering information and support for anyone affected by dementia, increased by 40% (there were 19,535 Talking Point members on 31 March 2012). We redesigned Talking Point to simplify the registration process and make it easier to navigate around the site.