CST to increase dementia awareness with Marches Care
Shrewsbury Town have teamed up with a Shropshire nursing home owner in a bid to increase awareness of the growing problem of dementia in our communities.Mandy Thorn, managing director of Marches Care which runs the Uplands at Oxon nursing home at Bicton Heath, Shrewsbury, is championing the work of the Dementia Friends programme by signing up players and staff from the Club to attend awareness sessions.
Marches Care has also pledged £2,500 to Town's Community Sports Trust to help fund its activities in Shropshire.
“I am greatly looking forward to working with Shrewsbury Town on this project,” said Mrs Thorn.
“As far as I am aware Everton FC is the only top-flight club which has gone through the national Dementia Friends programme so I congratulate Shrewsbury Town for being so forward thinking on the issue.
“We are already in the process of spreading the word about dementia awareness through running Dementia Friends sessions at the Club.
“Hopefully all the players and staff will go through the programme which we believe is crucial in helping people to understand the disease.
“We feel that we have a strong connection with the Club, not least because many of our residents are Shrewsbury Town supporters!
“Shrewsbury Town is an integral part in the community and we are fully behind the health and inclusions programmes that the club.”
Town manager Micky Mellon, chief executive Matt Williams and Jamie Edwards, the manager of the Community Sports Trust, met with Mrs Thorn and the Uplands’ nurse manager Carey Bloomer to discuss holding Dementia Friends sessions.
Jamie Edwards said the Club and the Community Sports Trust were delighted to receive the donation from Marches Care.
“Donations such as these are invaluable in helping us to continue our health and inclusion programme around Shropshire,” said Jamie.
“Not only that, but the opportunity for all those connected to the Club to go through the Dementia Friends programme will be invaluable and we are much looking forward to attending the sessions.
“We look forward to working with Mandy and everyone at Marches Care hopefully for many years to come.”