Amanda Milling MP, has been speaking in Parliament about the support that is available to those who are living with dementia, their families and carers, with two Cabinet Ministers both backing the work of local charities and voluntary groups across Cannock Chase.
Over the last 18 months, Amanda has met with various charities and voluntary groups that provide this support across Cannock Chase and took the opportunity to praise the work of all of these groups in a recent debate in Parliament. Amanda made particular reference to the recent Dementia Companions Conference that she attended in Rugeley, which had been organised by St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church.
Amanda also encouraged more towns and communities to become ‘Dementia Friendly’ and is actively encouraging more organisations and businesses undertake Dementia Friendly training. Hednesford, where the Cannock Chase MP’s office is situated, is already a ‘Dementia Friendly’ town, becoming successfully registered in May 2015.
Amanda Milling commented: “I am really keen that I do everything that I can to support those who are affected by dementia – those who suffer with this condition as well as their families and carers. I have met with many fantastic charities and voluntary groups across Cannock Chase who provide such incredibly valuable support to those who are affected by dementia. The conference that I attended in Rugeley which was organised by St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church was very insightful and provided some really helpful practical tips in terms of being able to cope with dementia – as a sufferer and a family member and carer.”
She added: “I was also incredibly keen that I and my team can help dementia sufferers, their families and carers as best we can. I have therefore arranged for my team, who are based in my office on Market Street in Hednesford, to receive some ‘Dementia Friendly’ training next month so that they are fully able to support those affected. If your organisation is interested in receiving some dementia friendly training please do get in touch – the training only takes an hour.”
Members of the Cabinet, including the Leader of the House of Commons, the Rt Hon Chris Grayling MP, have received ‘Dementia Friendly’ training which he describe as “immensely enlightening”.
In response to a question from Amanda Milling in the House of Commons he commented: “I had experienced dementia in my family, but the training taught me things I did not previously know. The work done by groups such as the one in Cannock Chase makes a real difference, not only to those who are suffering, but to those who help them. I commend my hon. Friend, her colleagues and, indeed, all those involved in this important area for the work they do.”
Speaking in Parliament, the Secretary of State for Health the Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, also praised the commitment of the Hednesford community in becoming ‘Dementia Friendly’. Responding to a question posed by Amanda Milling he said: “I absolutely recognise the excellent work that is happening in Hednesford as a dementia-friendly community. I know that there are more than 2,000 dementia friends in Cannock Chase. Fantastic work is going on, and I thank my hon. Friend for her support.”
Amanda has also been questioning the government on funding for dementia research. She was pleased to hear that the government will spend more than £300million on dementia research during this parliament, aiming to double overall investment by 2025. The government has also spearheaded the £130million Dementia Discovery Fund and plan to invest up to £150million to develop a national Dementia Research Institute by 2020. It is hoped that by 2020, over half the people suffering dementia will be living in dementia friendly communities – of which there are already 147 across England.
Amanda added: “I remember growing up with one of my grandmother’s suffering with dementia. It is a growing issue and almost everyone has been affected by it in some way. I was keen to raise the importance of this issue and see what more can be done to help – both locally and also nationally by government. I would like to thank all those people who volunteer their time to support the various local charities and groups that support those affected by dementia.”