In March 2014 My WiSH Charity launched the Forget-Me-Not Dementia Campaign, in partnership with the East Anglian Daily Times and Mercury newspapers.

Originally looking to fundraise £25,000 to pay for the refurbishment of a day room on ward G4 and a dementia memory walk, the campaign has so far raised more than £80,000. 

Thanks to the amazing generosity of the West Suffolk community, this money has enabled us to make more wards in the hospital dementia-friendly as well as provide invaluable training for staff, volunteers and outside organisations.

Work has now commenced on a bespoke memory walk and is due to be completed in early 2016.  We have kitted out a day care room especially for patients with dementia and a supplied a host of reminiscence materials including puzzles and books around the hospital.  Calm Carts have also been placed on many wards.  These carry lots of wonderful things to help patients, their carers and staff.

This campaign has also given us a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness of this condition and challenge and change perceptions.

Some facts:

It is estimated that there are more than 3,400 people in West Suffolk living with dementia

One in three people over 65 across the country will die with some form of dementia

42% of the UK population know a close friend or family member with dementia

163,000 new cases of dementia occur in England and Wales each year - one every 3.2 minutes.

 Please note My WiSH Charity is the new name of West Suffolk Hospital Charity