Fund receives £82,000 grant from the AFCFT for Dementia Reminiscence project

The RAF Benevolent Fund is thrilled to have been awarded a grant of £82,000 from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (AFCFT) to expand the Fund’s Dementia Reminiscence Groups project. 

The generous grant will go towards funding up to eight Dementia Reminiscence groups over three years, starting May 1 2023. The groups will allow members of the RAF Family with dementia to share life experiences, memories and stories from the past, giving those with dementia a sense of competence and confidence by recalling these memorable moments.   

The aim is to reduce social isolation and the associated risk factors such as dementia and physical frailty in vulnerable members of the RAF Family, and increase overall wellbeing.

According to Alzheimer’s Research UK, about 7.1% of people over the age of 65 have dementia, therefore it is estimated that c.64,006 members of the RAF Family are living with the disease.1 Dementia can also affect the younger generation with 42,000 people under 65 living with this devastating condition.1

The RAF Benevolent Fund piloted the Dementia Reminiscence Groups in Cambridgeshire in 2022, with excellent results and feedback from beneficiaries. Groups in 2023 will include expansion of the Cambridgeshire group, as well as new groups in Kent and West Sussex.

Peter, who has benefitted from the Dementia Reminiscence Group in Cambridge, said: "I was really surprised. I have attended some meetings like these before in other places, but I have never seen and felt this amount of support all in one place before."

Terry, another beneficiary, said: "I struggle with dementia and need prompting by my wife constantly. I forget things when I am speaking, and she fills in the gaps for me. I forget words, where I live and more upsetting, the names of my children. It’s scary and very upsetting. The group has made me feel welcome and is a safe place for me to speak and meet with people. Thank you for having me."

Peter Ashcroft, Head of Community Welfare Programmes at the RAF Benevolent Fund, said: "We, at the RAF Benevolent Fund, are extremely grateful for the generous support provided by the AFCFT. In the UK alone, 944,000 people are estimated to be living with dementia in the UK, with 52% of the UK public knowing someone who has been diagnosed with a form of dementia.1 Demand for support for those affected by dementia is higher than ever so generous donations from organisations like the AFCFT really enable us to help us meet the changing needs of the entire RAF Family."

Find out how the RAF Benevolent Fund supports veterans with dementia by calling 0300 102 1919 or emailing cew@rafbf.org.uk.