"Awareness Week 2000"
. This year's Awareness Week was a great success, not least because of all the hard work and preparation that Jennifer, the staff and volunteers put in to make each event go so well.

Saturday 1st July 2000
Coffee Morning - Parish Centre, Middle Chare, Chester-le-Street

Hard workers at the entrance raffle. and more hard work with the meals.

Hard workers at the entrance raffle.

and more hard work with the meals.
The Parish Centre was once again the host to the coffee morning, the traditional start to the branch's week. This was, as usual well organised and well attended, and the baking and preparation hours put in by the willing volunteers was much in evidence. The weather stayed fine which always helps bring in the crowds.

Monday July 3rd 2000 12.30 - 1 p.m.
Candle Vigil Service - Durham Cathedral, Durham.

The candle vigil was taken by the Area Dean for Durham, The Rev Jon Bell, Vicar of St. Cuthbert's with St Aidan, Durham and Rector of St. Michael's, Witton Gilbert. As in previous years, this was a moving occasion, when loved ones were remembered and their memories cherished. The Cathedral made an excellent setting, the first time the event had been held in Durham Cathedral.

Monday July 3rd 2000
Our own Lawrie Brown on World-wide TV

Lawrie Brown, one of our former carers who does so much now to help the branch, became a TV star! We were asked for a carer who would be willing to go to Manchester to appear on a TV show for a five minute interview for the satellite channel, Granada Breeze. This is available world-wide. The interview covered Lawrie's experiences in caring for his wife over many years, and focused on Alzheimer's Awareness Week. As usual, Lawrie spoke from the heart and the interview was very successful. A videotape of the interview is available in the branch office.

Tuesday July 4th 2000 7 p.m.
Public Conference, County Hall, Durham.

The Durham and Chester-le-Street branch held a very successful and well attended "Food for Thought" Conference on the Tuesday of Awareness Week at Durham County Hall. Jennifer Brown, the Branch Manager, had arranged an impressive array of speakers. Mark Walker, the Regional Officer, introduced the report and gave us the main conclusions and recommendations.

The audience listens attentively.

The audience listens attentively.
(Photo: Debbie Keenan)

The first guest speaker was Julie Clark, Dietician at Durham's Dryburn Hospital, whose talk was full of practical advice for carers faced with the special needs of nourishing people with dementia, both at home and in institutions. Jill Dyer, Speech and Language Therapist also from Dryburn Hospital, took us through some of the physical problems faced by sufferers. I never knew that simply swallowing was such a complex manoeuvre! Viv Cowell, Occupational Therapist from Highfield Hospital in Chester-le-Street showed us various aids to eating with specialised and adapted plates and cutlery, an important aspect being to maintain the dignity and independence of the client when eating.

Neil Bosomworth.

Neil Bosomworth.
(Photo: Debbie Keenan)

Neil Bosomworth gave a highly informative, entertaining and nourishing talk about food supplements. A Chef from a Newcastle Hospice, he showed how blended food could be made attractive and tasty, as well as how to get the right consistency for each person's needs and maintain and boost the nutritional content at the same time. To prove his point, the audience all had a taste, and were well satisfied.

Left to right, Neil Bosomworth, Julie Clark, Jill Dyer and Viv Cowell.

Left to right, Neil Bosomworth, Julie Clark, Jill Dyer and Viv Cowell.

The event was rounded off by very tempting and healthy refreshments prepared by Jennifer, staff and volunteers, to whom credit must go for a highly successful event. There are already plans for a follow up in the autumn!

Wednesday 5th July 2000 7 p.m.
Flower Arranging Demo, Red Lion, Chester-le-Street.

Another very successful evening given by Audrey Raynor, with lots of ideas, and examples to try out later. There were also stalls and refreshments, and the evening was once again a great success, both socially and financially.

Friday 7th July 2000
Branch Office Open Day

The hard working volunteer bakers and cake makers were much in evidence yet again as we threw our doors open to the public. A steady stream of interested visitors passed through, and were made welcome.

Throughout the week prayers were dedicated to carers and people with dementia in local churches.

There were displays in:

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