PEOPLE with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia in Ammanford are being encouraged to join a group to support each other.

Peter Clark is an Ammanford resident who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. He has set up a support group in Ammanford for local residents like him to be able to share their stories and tips on living their best lives with the condition.

Mr Clark said: “When I was first diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, I was encouraged to put my affairs in order and wait for the grim reaper, who I was assured was just around the corner.

“Fortunately, soon after that I came across other folks in the same boat who had survived 10, 15 or even 20+ years since their diagnoses, and had got on with enjoying their lives with new, interesting, and even slightly lucrative activities.

“I joined in with them, engaging in research, debate, travel, entertainment, and product and venue reviews as well as general social chat.

“After 12 months benefitting from OBE, I am now trying to get something going for me and my neighbours in and around Ammanford where we can share our experiences and tips for how to live well with dementia.”

The group is called DEEP – Dementia Engagement and Empowerment Project – which is a network of groups of people with dementia and are held all over the UK. DEEP started as a one-year project in 2011 which was managed by the Mental Health Foundation and supported by Innovations in Dementia. It was funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

There are now around 8 groups across the UK and DEEP allows the groups to be connected to share their experiences and support each other.

The Ammanford DEEP group meets on Wednesdays between 1pm and 2pm in the committee room of the Pensioner’s Hall, Ammanford.

“I would really like to meet other people with dementia with a view to getting the group off the ground, established and developing relevant activities,” said Mr Clark.

Anyone who is wishing to attend the group or who could help in terms of Welsh language support and social media to help get the group out there to more people in and around Ammanford can attend one of the sessions on a Wednesday or email DEEP@peter-clark.com

There are currently around 900,000 people in the UK living with dementia.