Nominate your Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Heroes for national award

Nominations are now open for Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Heroes Awards 2021 which will be hosted by Alzheimer’s Society supporter and TV presenter, writer and journalist Richard Madeley in May.

The awards – 10 categories – are sponsored by Tunstall Healthcare and will take place virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic on Thursday, May 20 during Dementia Action Week and will showcase the stories of people doing outstanding things during the pandemic – Alzheimer’s Society’s dementia heroes.

During Dementia Action Week people across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough will also be asked to urge the Government to transform the social care system.

Tina Kierman, Alzheimer’s Society’s area manager for Cambridgeshire, said: “Lockdown has been tough for all of us. But imagine how much worse it would have been if you couldn’t understand why it was happening: why you no longer saw your loved ones; why your carers stopped visiting or why they wore masks.

“Tragically, this was reality for tens of thousands of people living with dementia in the UK and it was also the reality for carers, who were left unable to visit their loved ones, or without precious respite.

“Throughout the pandemic, individuals, groups and organisations have shown incredible support for people affected by dementia. The awards will recognise the inspirational achievements of those who care for people with dementia, those finding innovative solutions in research and the campaigners and media fighting for the rights of people with dementia.

“Since the pandemic began Alzheimer’s Society has helped huge numbers of people affected by dementia get the support they need, from speaking to one of our dementia advisers to accessing information and advice on our website. Our services have been used nearly three million times since lockdown began in March 2020, showing that people affected by dementia need us now more than ever.”

Nominations close on Friday, March 5. To nominate your dementia hero visit www.alzheimers.org.uk/dementiaheroawards.

The award categories which anyone can nominate an individual, group or organisation for, are:

Care and Compassion

Professional Excellence

Campaigning

Research

Innovation

Dementia Friendly Business

Fundraising

Print/Online Journalism

Broadcast Journalism

Dementia Voice.

This year Alzheimer’s Society has an overall special award for ‘Outstanding Achievement’, celebrating those who have gone above and beyond during the pandemic to improve the lives and champion the rights of people affected by dementia.

For more information about Dementia Action Week visit www.alzheimers.org.uk/DAW.