Mallow Chamber teams up with Alzheimer’s Society to host free event
Event aiming to help destigmatise dementia taking place at The Hibernian Hotel on January 25
THE Alzheimer Society of Ireland (The ASI) in association with Mallow Chamber of Commerce, will host a Dementia-Inclusive Community event — encouraging people, businesses and services in Mallow to create a more nurturing and accepting environment for people living with dementia and their families in the community — at The Hibernian Hotel from 7 - 9 pm, Thursday, 25th January.
People with dementia are among the most marginalised and can often face social exclusion and stigma. To address this issue, Dementia Inclusive Communities, an initiative of The Alzheimer Society of Ireland’s Friends of ASI, aims to invite community members and people living with dementia, to help make their communities more dementia-inclusive.
The ASI is pleased to have the support of the Mallow Chamber of Commerce. Mallow Chamber is committed to actively engaging on all Friends of ASI Mallow initiatives and promoting them to its members.
The free event will feature speakers such as The ASI Head of Operations and Community Engagement, Siobhan O’Connor, The ASI Dementia Adviser for North Cork, Amy Murphy, and Chair of The Irish Dementia Working Group Dr Kevin Quaid. Light refreshments will also be provided throughout the evening.
Speaking ahead of the event, The Alzheimer Society of Ireland Head of Operations and Community Engagement, Siobhan O’Connor, said: “At The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, we firmly believe in overcoming the stigma surrounding dementia, ensuring that individuals with this condition feel heard, understood, and valued so they can thrive in their communities.
“This Dementia-Inclusive Community evening is a wonderful opportunity to increase greater understanding and awareness about the condition which not only affects the individual but also their families, friends, and wider community. We’re extremely grateful to Mallow Chamber of Commerce for supporting this initiative.”
Estelle Varney of Mallow Chamber of Commerce said: “We are so pleased to support The Alzheimer Society of Ireland as we strive to make Mallow a more inclusive, supportive and understanding place for individuals living with dementia. The importance of creating dementia-inclusive communities cannot be overstated. Mallow Chamber encourages all local residents, businesses, and organisations to join this dementia inclusive community event in support of people living with the condition.”
Chair of The Irish Dementia Working Group, Dr Kevin Quaid said: “Events like this help shine a light on dementia which affects so many people in Cork and across Ireland. It is so important that people living with this condition feel safe and supported in their communities. My dream is to see every village and town in Ireland become dementia inclusive and I look forward to sharing my lived experience with the people of Mallow on Thursday, 25th January.”
An estimated 7,509 people live with dementia in Cork, and 63% of people with dementia live in the community in Ireland.