Compass Group UK & Ireland’s Healthcare team extends partnership with Alzheimer’s Society

Compass Group UK & Ireland’s Healthcare team has pledged to raise £144,000 to help fund dementia advisers as part of their on-going support for Alzheimer’s Society.

Support for Alzheimer’s Society was announced in May 2015 and in just two years the team raised a staggering £151,555 required to fund essential research into ‘dysphagia’ (difficulties in eating, drinking, and swallowing) in people living with dementia in a residential care setting.

The Healthcare team will now be continuing with its fundraising efforts for the charity and have pledged to raise £144,000 over the next two years for a project called Dementia Support. The programme aims to fund two dementia support workers or advisers each year, who in turn help families better cope with the emotional impact of a dementia diagnosis, as well as offering practical guidance and advice.

There are 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK. Dementia advisers at Alzheimer’s Society help people affected by dementia understand the different types of diagnosis and tailor the information they provide to each individual’s personal needs and specific condition. They also connect people to local services and professionals – everything from welcoming support groups in the community, to practical help managing money.

The Healthcare team will kick start the fundraising this summer with the “100k mile challenge” which will see colleagues pledging to contribute to the collective target of covering 100k during a three-month period through either walking, running, swimming, rowing or cycling. The aim of the campaign, which runs from August 1 2017, is to raise one pound for each mile completed.  Team members will complete the challenge by either committing to small distances each day over the three months or focus on completing one singular challenge. They will also be able to take part in “Memory Walk” – a sponsored walk organised by Alzheimer’s Society taking place in various locations across the country.

Steven Cenci, Managing Director of Healthcare at Compass Group UK & Ireland, said: “We are excited to be funding a great project for Alzheimer’s Society. These one-to-one support services are essential for those living with dementia as it provides important information, support and confidence to ensure people have a better quality of life. We are thrilled to continue our support for the charity in all the work they do around dementia and hope the money we raise will go a long way in helping those living with dementia to live better in the future.”

Michael Dent, Director of Fundraising at Alzheimer’s Society added: “One-to-one support and information after diagnosis offers a vital lifeline for many families affected by dementia. Our Dementia Advisers ensure more people have someone to turn to when they are faced with overwhelming information and difficult decisions. We are delighted that the Healthcare team at Compass Group UK & Ireland has united with Alzheimer’s Society and pledged to raise money towards helping the lives of people affected by dementia.”

For more information around Dementia Advisers visit: www.alzheimers.org.uk

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For more information contact:

UK Communications Team

Compass Group UK & Ireland

UK.communications@compass-group.co.uk

01895 554 999