President, Lynne Salter opened the October meeting with a congratulatory address on the 54th birthday of the Shaw Branch.
The speaker for the evening was Wendy Clayton, a ‘memory awareness volunteer’ for Alzheimer’s Support Wiltshire, which is an independent charity offering a range of services for people living with all types of dementia.
Founded in 1990, it now provides help and support to 500 people per month in East and West Wiltshire.
Wendy explained her role in raising awareness of the illness and the importance of encouraging people to seek early diagnosis. Volunteers attend local surgeries, libraries and residential homes with information and advice.
The Art House Café in Melksham is a typical venue run by Alzheimer’s Support Wiltshire, where patients meet monthly for an afternoon session to socialise and receive information. Wendy’s clear comprehensive talk on this difficult subject was well received by the members.
Recent weeks have been busy for many members who attended various events in the local area; a musical afternoon at the Campus in Corsham, a visit to Westbury Dairies and a very enjoyable trip to Salisbury Cathedral to view the Magna Carta Floral Display.
The next meeting will be held at Shaw Village Hall on Monday 9th November at 7.30pm when Margaret and John Bowman will talk about the Enham Trust. Visitors always welcome.