Crawley MP Henry Smith has welcomed the Public Health Minister, Jane Ellison MP, to K2 Leisure Centre for the launch of ASA Dementia Friendly Swimming, a Department of Health pilot project, in the town on Thursday, 19th May.
 
This was one of a series of events taking place on Living Well Day, which itself is part of Dementia Awareness Week (16th to 22nd May).
 
Henry said;
 
“I continue to be struck by the dedication and determination shown by the Alzheimer’s Society, Age UK, and everyone involved with the Crawley Dementia Alliance and Crawley Wellbeing, for their continued work to support people with dementia and their families.
 
“My thanks to the Health Minister, Jane Ellison, for coming to Crawley so that people involved in this project can speak with her directly.
 
“I’m also grateful to Cllr Brenda Smith, our town’s Dementia Ambassador, for her continued campaigning and focus on this matter.”
 
The Dementia Friendly Swimming event was open to all, and part of Living Well Day. This initiative encouraged people living with dementia, as well as their families and carers, to try new activities including Pilates, cycling and bowls to enable them to live their lives well with a diagnosis of dementia.
 
The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Public Health, Jane Ellison MP, commented;
 
“I was pleased to accept Henry Smith MP’s invitation to come to Crawley and spend time at K2 Leisure Centre for the launch of the ASA Dementia Friendly Swimming project.
 
“The Crawley Dementia Alliance have been instrumental in ensuring the town is a Dementia Friendly Community, following its formation in 2012 as part of the Prime Minister’s Dementia Challenge.
 
“I’m grateful for Henry Smith MP’s enthusiasm for such projects, I know he continues to work alongside organisations such as the Alzheimer’s Society.
 
“I always value the opportunity to see for myself such projects, and to speak with people involved in making them happen. I look forward to discussing these initiatives with my ministerial colleagues, and to see how what is being delivered in Crawley can be developed elsewhere.”

Elisa Vaughan, Operations Manager for Sussex at the Alzheimer’s Society, added;

“We were thrilled to welcome Crawley MP Henry Smith and Health Minster Jane Ellison to our Living Well Day at K2, in Crawley.

“This year we wanted to tackle the myths and misunderstandings about dementia and to show people that life doesn’t end when dementia begins. Activities like the ones on offer at K2 throughout the day, such as Tai Chi and walking football, prove that there is life after diagnosis.

“Talking about dementia can be scary, but confronting the condition and seeking help early offers the best chance of getting the right support, advice and treatment.”