Dementia UK urges care homes to support its Time for a Cuppa campaign

Dementia UK is calling on the care industry to support its Time for a Cuppa campaign.

The event, which this year runs from 1-8 March, is dedicated to raising money to provide more Admiral Nurses - highly trained mental health nurses to families and individuals affected by dementia.

Unfortunately there are not nearly enough Admiral Nurses in the UK and it is now a ‘postcode lottery’ as to who will receive this vital help.

During the week-long event, people across the country are encouraged to get together to hold a tea party.

Joanna Westley, head of fundraising and communications at Dementia UK said: “Time for a Cuppa is a great social activity for staff and residents at care homes, and our campaign fundraising pack and website contain some fantastic resources for anyone looking for inspiration, including games and recipe ideas.

“It is all of our responsibility to make life better for families affected by dementia and we call on the care industry to do its part by hosting a Time for a Cuppa party. Registration levels are currently down in comparison to this time last year so we need the industry to support what is a vital funding source for Dementia UK’s provision of Admiral Nurses.”

Rosie Holman, activities co-ordinator at Brambles Care Home in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, held a Mad Hatter tea party last year in support of the campaign.

She said: “The tea party commenced with a tea themed quiz, downloaded from the Time for a Cuppa website, as well as a tea themed session of Bingo. The latter was also adapted from the Time for a Cuppa website, and included pictures as well as words to ensure that residents with severe dementia could join in too. The event was a resounding success and we were thrilled to raise £320 for this important cause.”

For information on how to host an event, or to download a fundraising pack, visit www.timeforacuppa.org

Dementia UK is a national charity that is committed to supporting families affected by dementia. It provides and supports Admiral Nurses, Admiral Nursing DIRECT, Uniting Carers – a national network of carers of people with dementia – and provides accredited and affordable training via Dementia UK Training.