Rebecca Evans welcomes deputy health minister to Gorseinon dementia club

Rebecca Evans, Welsh Labour's Assembly candidate for Gower, has welcomed Deputy Minister for Health, Vaughan Gething, to the Forget Me Not Dementia Day Club in Gorseinon.
 
Forget Me Not Dementia Day Clubs were set up across Swansea in 2010 to help people with dementia and their carers. The clubs offer the chance to meet in a friendly social environment at a local base.
 
Rebecca Evans is a current regional Assembly Member for Mid and West Wales and has been a sponsor of both the Assembly's Cross Party Group on Dementia, and the Cross Party Group on Older People.
 
Rebecca Evans said: "It was a real pleasure to spend time with the Gorseinon Forget Me Not group. 
"I take my hat off to the volunteers who run the clubs across Swansea. Their dedication and passion for ensuring that people with dementia and their carers have such a supportive and enjoyable club to be part of is wonderful."
 
Deputy Minister for Health, Vaughan Gething, said: "There was a warm welcome waiting for us at the Forget Me Not club in Gorseinon. 

"The Welsh Government is committed to providing support to people in Wales with dementia and their families. 

"We are working to help people reduce the risk of developing dementia, and to improve dementia diagnosis rates across Wales - including putting in place extra training and support for primary care and care home staff.

"We are also improving post-diagnostic support by funding new support workers to help people who have received a diagnosis of dementia, and are working to improve care in general hospital settings by making sure that NHS staff have the knowledge and skills they need to provide the best care for patients with dementia."

In 2014, Rebecca Evans became one of Wales' first 'Dementia Friends' when she launched the Welsh Government funded Dementia Friends programme alongside Gavin and Stacey actress Ruth Jones. The programme is a trailblazing initiative that aims to improve people's understanding of dementia and its effects.