Latest news with #EmmaRichards
BBC News
25-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Gloucestershire chronic pain sufferers making new connections
A club which supports people living chronic conditions has created a community network in partnership with a therapy Connect meets several times a month in Gloucestershire to help people who have conditions such as pain is pain that persists or keeps coming back for longer than three French, one of the members of the group, said: "When you talk to somebody and you get the same look back - they get it, which is hugely important." Shannon Dunkley was born with scoliosis, which is curvature of the spine, and also suffers from fibromyalgia."It means a lot to us to help others as well, just to let them they're not on their own - we understand," she said. She added some people think she "looks fine" so would find it hard to understand her pain."They can sympathise but they could never understand," she club, which meets in Lydney, Cinderford and Coleford, was set up to connect people who can understand each other's conditions. Former primary school teacher Emma Richards, from Gloucester, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) 20 years she was at university she went blind in one eye, and four years later she began to feel tingling sensations and suffer the pain which led to her diagnosis and a premature retirement from added she has been able to volunteer, including singing with babies at her local library and tutoring for friends."I'm just trying to give back just so it keeps my hand in, it was tough to give up [my] identity," she said. 'Source of strength' Ms Richards said having oxygen therapy at Charcot Therapy Centre in Gloucester has helped her symptoms."I've been going about nine months now, I really enjoy going to the centre. It's not just therapy - it's a community," she centre, named after neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot for his discovery of MS, was set up 40 years ago by a group of Rachael Evans said: "It became an acorn of hope which has grown over the years into a lifeline which is a source of strength and a true community."She said the people that go to therapy "become family".Jade Barnes, Charcot Therapy Centre manager, said the oxygen therapy can help with "brain fog, mobility and fatigue".
North Wales Chronicle
30-05-2025
- Health
- North Wales Chronicle
Penarth dementia event takes place as UK cases near million
Hosted by Dementia Friendly Penarth, the event at The Paget Rooms brought together dozens of support groups, NHS teams, and community advocates. The event came with one shared mission, to turn Penarth into a more inclusive, informed space for people living with Emma Richards with Phil Batchelor and local community lead Miles Utting. (Image: Phil Batchelor) The event was officially opened by Penarth's newly elected mayor, Emma Richards, who stood alongside Dementia Friendly Penarth chair Phil Batchelor and local community lead Miles Utting. More than 20 organisations participated, offering resources, support, and hands-on advice to residents and caregivers. Groups included the Cardiff & Vale NHS Memory Team, Alzheimer's Society, Marie Curie, Telecare, South Wales Police and Penarth Library among many others. The Alzheimer's Society at The Paget Rooms on Thursday, May 22nd. (Image: Phil Batchelor) Mr Batchelor said: "What truly moved me during these discussions was hearing first hand how community members felt empowered by sharing their experiences. "It reminded me that our strength lies in coming together and caring for one another." According to the latest estimates from Alzheimer's Research UK, nearly 1 million people in the UK are currently living with dementia, a figure expected to soar to 1.4 million by 2040. New data from the Office for National Statistics reveals that more than 47,000 people across Wales are currently living with a diagnosed case of dementia. Urban and coastal regions are seeing substantially higher rates. One such hotspot is the Vale of Glamorgan, where an estimated 2,300 to 3,400 people are living with dementia. NHS information desk at The Paget Rooms on Thursday, May 22nd. (Image: Phil Batchelor) Research from the 2023 Dementia Attitudes Monitor reveals only 36 per cent of the UK public believe it's possible to reduce the risk of developing dementia, despite evidence suggesting that up to 40 per cent of cases are linked to modifiable lifestyle factors like exercise, diet, and smoking. The campaign's theme, Turning Penarth Blue, was a call to action, designed to paint the town with compassion, resources, and real understanding of the challenges people with dementia face every day. While more than half of adults in the UK know someone with dementia, many still fail to recognise it as a terminal condition. Only 60 per cent of the public accept that dementia is a cause of death, according to national surveys. Mr Batchelor said: "We're changing that narrative. With support, research, and awareness, we can all be part of creating a better future, for Penarth, for Wales, and for the thousands of families affected by dementia every year."
Western Telegraph
30-05-2025
- Health
- Western Telegraph
Penarth dementia event takes place as UK cases near million
Hosted by Dementia Friendly Penarth, the event at The Paget Rooms brought together dozens of support groups, NHS teams, and community advocates. The event came with one shared mission, to turn Penarth into a more inclusive, informed space for people living with dementia. Mayor Emma Richards with Phil Batchelor and local community lead Miles Utting. (Image: Phil Batchelor) The event was officially opened by Penarth's newly elected mayor, Emma Richards, who stood alongside Dementia Friendly Penarth chair Phil Batchelor and local community lead Miles Utting. More than 20 organisations participated, offering resources, support, and hands-on advice to residents and caregivers. Groups included the Cardiff & Vale NHS Memory Team, Alzheimer's Society, Marie Curie, Telecare, South Wales Police and Penarth Library among many others. The Alzheimer's Society at The Paget Rooms on Thursday, May 22nd. (Image: Phil Batchelor) Mr Batchelor said: "What truly moved me during these discussions was hearing first hand how community members felt empowered by sharing their experiences. "It reminded me that our strength lies in coming together and caring for one another." According to the latest estimates from Alzheimer's Research UK, nearly 1 million people in the UK are currently living with dementia, a figure expected to soar to 1.4 million by 2040. New data from the Office for National Statistics reveals that more than 47,000 people across Wales are currently living with a diagnosed case of dementia. Urban and coastal regions are seeing substantially higher rates. One such hotspot is the Vale of Glamorgan, where an estimated 2,300 to 3,400 people are living with dementia. NHS information desk at The Paget Rooms on Thursday, May 22nd. (Image: Phil Batchelor) Research from the 2023 Dementia Attitudes Monitor reveals only 36 per cent of the UK public believe it's possible to reduce the risk of developing dementia, despite evidence suggesting that up to 40 per cent of cases are linked to modifiable lifestyle factors like exercise, diet, and smoking. The campaign's theme, Turning Penarth Blue, was a call to action, designed to paint the town with compassion, resources, and real understanding of the challenges people with dementia face every day. While more than half of adults in the UK know someone with dementia, many still fail to recognise it as a terminal condition. Only 60 per cent of the public accept that dementia is a cause of death, according to national surveys. Mr Batchelor said: "We're changing that narrative. With support, research, and awareness, we can all be part of creating a better future, for Penarth, for Wales, and for the thousands of families affected by dementia every year."
The Herald Scotland
30-05-2025
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
Penarth dementia event takes place as UK cases near million
The event came with one shared mission, to turn Penarth into a more inclusive, informed space for people living with dementia. Mayor Emma Richards with Phil Batchelor and local community lead Miles Utting. (Image: Phil Batchelor) The event was officially opened by Penarth's newly elected mayor, Emma Richards, who stood alongside Dementia Friendly Penarth chair Phil Batchelor and local community lead Miles Utting. More than 20 organisations participated, offering resources, support, and hands-on advice to residents and caregivers. Groups included the Cardiff & Vale NHS Memory Team, Alzheimer's Society, Marie Curie, Telecare, South Wales Police and Penarth Library among many others. The Alzheimer's Society at The Paget Rooms on Thursday, May 22nd. (Image: Phil Batchelor) Mr Batchelor said: "What truly moved me during these discussions was hearing first hand how community members felt empowered by sharing their experiences. "It reminded me that our strength lies in coming together and caring for one another." According to the latest estimates from Alzheimer's Research UK, nearly 1 million people in the UK are currently living with dementia, a figure expected to soar to 1.4 million by 2040. New data from the Office for National Statistics reveals that more than 47,000 people across Wales are currently living with a diagnosed case of dementia. Urban and coastal regions are seeing substantially higher rates. One such hotspot is the Vale of Glamorgan, where an estimated 2,300 to 3,400 people are living with dementia. NHS information desk at The Paget Rooms on Thursday, May 22nd. (Image: Phil Batchelor) Research from the 2023 Dementia Attitudes Monitor reveals only 36 per cent of the UK public believe it's possible to reduce the risk of developing dementia, despite evidence suggesting that up to 40 per cent of cases are linked to modifiable lifestyle factors like exercise, diet, and smoking. The campaign's theme, Turning Penarth Blue, was a call to action, designed to paint the town with compassion, resources, and real understanding of the challenges people with dementia face every day. While more than half of adults in the UK know someone with dementia, many still fail to recognise it as a terminal condition. Only 60 per cent of the public accept that dementia is a cause of death, according to national surveys. Mr Batchelor said: "We're changing that narrative. With support, research, and awareness, we can all be part of creating a better future, for Penarth, for Wales, and for the thousands of families affected by dementia every year."
