Younger People with Dementia

Did you know that dementia can affect you at any time in life? We are Younger People with Dementia (YPWD), a registered charity in England and Wales who are committed to supporting those living with young onset dementia through meaningful and age-appropriate activities 💚 A HUGE thank you to Leon Silavant 🎥 for helping us to produce such an uplifting and visually beautiful amalgamation of the services we provide. For more information: www.ypwd.info

We've had an amazing turnout the last two weeks at our fitness workshops in East Berkshire! It was fantastic seeing so many group members join in on the bodyweight exercises, team games and using some light weights – all while having fun and staying active 🙌 We know the importance of staying active for those we support living with young onset dementia. Exercise can help improve brain function, boost mood and reduce anxiety. It also helps with strength, balance and mobility, making daily activities easier and more enjoyable. This is just one of the activity-based workshops we provide throughout the working week. Visit our website to find out more 💚

Join us every Thursday for our exciting new Sing and Dance group! 🕺🎶 Come along and enjoy an hour and a half of belting out classic tunes and dancing around the room with great company. We'll finish the session with a cosy cup of tea (or your choice of brew). Whether you're a dancer, singer or just in need of some fun, everyone is welcome to join in at this new community group in Slough! 📅 Every Thursday ⏲️ 2pm - 4pm 📍 The Britwell Centre, SL2 2DS Although we are a charity dedicated to supporting younger people with dementia, this new group is open to adults of all ages, with no dementia diagnosis required. It's all about promoting health and well-being, building trust and bringing people together. Listening to music and dancing is a universal experience that breaks down barriers, opens up conversations about young onset dementia, and helps us improve health-seeking behaviours. Plus, we’ll signpost attendees to other helpful services. YPWD is passionate about supporting all communities. So, come sing, dance, and make some memories with us! To find out more, contact karen.ive@ypwd.info 📨

I was at the Smiley Charity Film Awards last night and the entries really were brilliant. But this film from Younger People with Dementia was a stand-out for me. A tragic story told so effectively through the script, the production and the performance of the brilliant actors involved. Sadly it's not fiction and is the reality for people who are developing dementia under the age of 65. Well done to the team at YPWD, thoroughly deserved the win.

We are incredibly grateful and overjoyed to announce that ‘If Not Now, When?’ has won the Longform £0-£500,000 category at the Smiley Charity Film Awards! 🏆 Starring BAFTA award winner Kate Dickie, Jamie Sives, and David Carlyle, this powerful film highlights the emotional and practical challenges faced by those living with young onset dementia. It’s a hard-hitting, unforgettable story that aims to raise awareness, reduce stigma and foster a deeper understanding of this often-overlooked condition. This win means so much to us and it strengthens our commitment to continuing to empower and support those affected by young onset dementia. Thank you to the incredible cast, crew and all of our supporters - we couldn’t have done this without you. This film was written and directed by Nick Tree 🎬 and we couldn't be happier for you. Our goal remains clear: to raise awareness and ensure that the voices of those living with young onset dementia are heard and understood 💚 #CFA #CFA2025

Social Prescribing Day is an annual celebration that recognises local community groups and organisations that support people’s health and wellbeing. At Younger People with Dementia, we are proud to be part of this movement, providing a completely unique service dedicated to supporting people living with young onset dementia and their families in the South East of England 🤝 Many things that affect our health cannot be treated by doctors or medicine alone, like loneliness, isolation and stress. Social prescribing connects people to non-medical support to address these issues and other unmet needs. For those living with young onset dementia, staying mentally and physically active can help improve mood, reduce feelings of isolation and in some cases, slow the progression of symptoms. We are proud to offer a variety of activity-based workshops that help keep both the body and mind engaged. From yoga and katakanuing to equine therapy, our workshops are designed to provide cognitive stimulation, promote physical wellbeing, and create a supportive environment where individuals can thrive! On Social Prescribing Day, let's celebrate the power of movement, creativity and connection in enhancing the lives of those living with dementia 💚 Find out more: https://lnkd.in/e2fcp_eq #SocialPrescribingDay #Community #Dementia

Harry, who supported our charity as a volunteer in 2022, successfully completed the Barcelona Marathon on Saturday in aid of Younger People with Dementia. He has raised over £1,000 with gift aid so far and we honestly couldn’t be more grateful 💚 This year was Barcelona, last year was Brighton. We can’t to see where you choose next year 👀

We spent a wonderful morning celebrating the vibrant Holi Festival with card making, music and splashes of colour! 🎶 Since January, we have been running a monthly activity group in collaboration with the Indian Community Association which is free to all! Holi is a major Hindu festival celebrated as the Festival of Colours, Love, and Spring. In the spirit of togetherness today, we took time to discuss dementia and the importance of communication, strengthening our understanding and connection. It was a beautiful session filled with laughter, friendship, delicious food and all the colours of life 🩷 Thank you to Deepak for providing the beautiful music and to the Indian Community Centre for collaborating with us to deliver these sessions. We look forward to seeing you all at our next session on Thursday the 10th of April. #Holi #Festival #Community #Dementia

We are having a wonderful time at our conservation workshop in West Berkshire, partnering with the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) to help restore an area of woodland affected by Ash Dieback, a fungal disease that weakens and makes ash trees prone to falling. The woodland was cleared in January and our group's task was to plant native trees like hazel, elder and dogwood. These new trees will grow at different rates, creating a diverse canopy that will provide essential habitats for a wide range of wildlife - from birds and butterflies to beetles and mice! Together, we planted around 35 new trees, each protected with tree guards to keep them safe from the wind and any curious muntjacs 🦌 #Community #Dementia #Nature

Dave, one of the lovely people we support with young onset dementia, has found a new sense of purpose through our art workshops. After months of dedication, his artwork is now on display at Craft Coop in Bracknell. Dave’s journey began with a love for drawing and a collection of sketches he shared with his support workers. This sparked the creation of the “Memories in Art” project, where Dave’s love for nature and birds came to life through new artistic techniques 🎨 Thanks to The Craft Coop, who provided guidance and space to showcase Dave’s work, he’s able to proudly share his passion with the community. 💬 Dave shared, “I’m really proud of how it’s turned out, especially since I haven’t drawn since school.” This project has been a beautiful reminder of how creative outlets can help individuals living with dementia retain their sense of purpose and identity. #Art #Community #Dementia #MotivationalMonday