Alzheimer’s Society afternoon tea sponsored by Saffery Trust Guernsey

Guernsey’s Alzheimer’s Society charity has hosted an afternoon tea for its service users thanks to funding from Saffery Trust.

The event, which was held at the Peninsula Hotel, saw a group of around thirty take an opportunity to socialise and enjoy the sunshine. Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Adviser, Michael Nicholls, said the afternoon tea was a worthwhile event.

“Events like these are important to people affected by dementia, just as they are to anyone else. People need happy occasions to look forward to and to have the same opportunities to enjoy special moments being with others. Being able to carry on with life as normally as possible after a diagnosis and continue doing things they have enjoyed is important for their sense of well-being and to still feel part of society,” he said.

“We should all feel like we belong to the community we live in. A dementia diagnosis does not mean that people should have to hide away. A cognitive impairment should not mean that anyone is less valued or has any less to contribute to the society in which we live. As a community we can also learn a lot from people with dementia.”

The Guernsey Alzheimer’s Society supports people with Alzheimer’s and their carers. The group meets regularly to combat loneliness and said the afternoon tea event was “very nice”, with one individual commenting: “For me, it’s so important to be able to meet with other people. It’s the social aspect as life can be very lonely”. Another commented: “It does us good to go on things like this and mix with others”.

Saffery Trust Director, Lisa Vizia, said the firm was grateful for the opportunity to fund the event.

“We know that Alzheimer’s, and other forms of dementia, is close to the heart for many of our staff and the wider community. My father lived with Alzheimer’s and my mother took on the role of his carer. Since his passing, my mum has continued to support the Alzheimer’s Society, which provides a fundamental role within the island,” she said.

“Social activities are so important for patients and their carers. As a responsible business, we take our commitment to our community seriously and were happy to be able to support this event, which clearly had a hugely positive impact for the group.”