Older Islanders With Memory Challenges To Benefit From New Dementia Project

More than 1,200 local older people with memory problems will be receiving help and support thanks to a grant from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Freemasons to the Age UK Isle of Wight (AUKIW) charity.

The £60,000 grant will establish Dementia Chatty Brews, a two-year project aimed at supporting individuals living with dementia and their carers across the Isle of Wight.

The project strives to create vital touchpoints for those affected by dementia, providing a sense of community, reducing feelings of isolation among caregiver and recipient alike, and ultimately contributing to a more connected Island.

According to NHS statistics, over 850,000 people in the UK currently live with dementia, with 2,655 residents on the Isle of Wight affected by the condition as of 2022.

This number is projected to rise to 3,920 by 2030 - representing a staggering 47 per cent increase.

Without targeted action, many older residents risk being left without the essential support needed to ensure a good quality of life.

Dementia Chatty Brews will host social, accessible sessions in community venues across the Isle of Wight, focusing on meaningful connections and information sharing.

Each session will offer opportunities for conversation, engaging activities, and access to expert guidance, including insights on benefits such as Attendance Allowance and Blue Badge services.

The initiative, led by AUKIW's Older Person Mental Health Navigators and trained volunteers, will ensure that participants receive the right support while building a supportive peer network to ease the challenges of caregiving.

With over 50 years of deep community integration and recognition for expertise in dementia care, Age UKIW is uniquely positioned to deliver this project.

As a partner in the Isle of Wight NHS and IW council's Dementia Strategy, AUKIW's active participation ensures that services align with local priorities while addressing critical

gaps in care.

The grant from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Freemasons comes through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons, their families and friends, from across England and Wales.

Kim Williams, Community Services Team Leader from Age UK Isle of Wight, said:

"We’re very grateful to Hampshire & Isle of Wight Freemasons for their generous grant.

"The Dementia Chatty Brews project is committed to combating the challenges of dementia, including social isolation and communication difficulties.

"By creating welcoming spaces for connection, we aim to reduce loneliness, enhance communication skills, and improve emotional well-being for individuals with dementia and their carers.

"We also provide vital resources and emotional support to carers, ensuring they have a chance to look after themselves.”

Adrian Cleightonhills an Island resident and is Head of the Solent Area for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Freemasons, said:

“I’m very pleased we’ve been able to help Age UK Isle of Wight with their hugely important Dementia Chatty Brews project.

"This is essential support for a group that is growing enormously and for their carers who

themselves urgently need help. It’s a major boost for dementia care on the Island.”