Dementia Action Week (16 – 22 May)

Dementia Action Week runs from 16 May to 22 May. This year the theme is diagnosis.

Research shows that the misconception around memory loss being a sign of normal ageing is the biggest barrier to people seeking a dementia diagnosis.

Diagnosis rates are at a five-year low, meaning that tens of thousands of people are now living with undiagnosed dementia. This means they don’t have access to the vital care and support that a diagnosis can bring.

North Central London’s local boroughs are supporting and helping people and their families living with dementia. See below for information and events taking place locally.

The Power of Music by Age UK Barnet

Celebrate #DementiaActionWeek with The Power of Music!

Tuesday 17 May at 2pm – 4pm

Ann Owens Centre, Oak Lane, East Finchley, N2 8LT

Age UK Barnet and Barnet Carers have teamed up for an afternoon of fun activities followed by a fascinating talk by Grace Meadows, Programme Director for Music for Dementia. She will be speaking about the benefits of music and its power to reduce anxiety.

Register here

Camden Dementia Awareness Day

Tuesday 17 May at 11am – 2pm

The Greenwood Centre, 37 Greenwood Place, Kentish Town, NW5 1LB

You can get information about dementia and meet the team from the Camden dementia services

Free entry and everyone is welcome!

For more information, call 020 7428 8950 or email info@camdencarers.org.uk

Maintenance Cognitive Stimulation Therapy sessions

Age UK Enfield are running a new group for people with dementia. Maintenance Cognitive Stimulation Therapy sessions offer an opportunity to meet other people living with dementia, and take part in a wide range of activities in a friendly, caring and supportive environment.

To find out more or to join, please visit Age UK Enfield.

Memory Meet Ups

Fortnightly on Wednesdays 10.30am – 12.00pm

Next meeting will be Wednesday 18 May

St Stephens Church Hall, 56 Village Road, EN1 2EY

Age UK Enfield’s team of Health & Wellbeing Navigators and volunteers welcome you to join them at their new fortnightly activity group for people living with dementia and their families.

Booking is essential: email memorycare@ageukenfield.org.uk or call 0208 375 4120, or use the online booking form here.

Click here for more information.

Living Creatively with Dementia

Thursday 19 May at 2pm

Online Session via Zoom led by Enfield Dementia Action Alliance (EDAA)

Email alison.gordon@ageukenfield.org.uk for zoom link.

Walk and Talk at Pymmes Park

Friday 20 May at 2pm

Led by Mark Huggard, Fit for Life and Venetta Hunt, Head of Care Services and Chair of EDAA.

Meet at Visitor’s Centre, Pymmes Park, Victoria Road, N9 0UW

Pop up stall at Enfield Town Library

From Monday 16 May – Friday 20 May, visit Enfield Dementia Action Alliance’s pop up stall at Enfield Town Library to find information about local dementia activities, services, and support about living with dementia. Organisations attending include: Home Instead, Barchester Southgate Beaumont Care Home, Elsying House, Age UK Enfield, Enfield Wellbeing Network, Fortuna, Library Services, and more.

Singing For The Brain

Singing for the Brain is a fun and social activity for people with dementia. You can also attend with a friend, family member or carer. 

These sessions are free, and refreshments are provided. Contact the Alzheimer’s Society, Haringey (haringey@alzheimers.org.uk or 020 8937 7171) for information on location, term start and end dates.

For more information on dementia support services in Haringey, please visit the Haringey Council website.

Talking About Dementia – Online Support Group

Thursday 19 May at 1.30pm – 3pm

Do you look after someone who has dementia, or are you interested in finding out more about the condition? Islington Carers Hub are hosting a special Mental Health Carers Support Group on Thursday 19 May, where they will be discussing the specific needs and issues of carers looking after someone with dementia. The session will be co-hosted by specialist colleagues in the Camden & Islington NHS Foundation Trust, who will also be able to share valuable expertise.

Click here for more information and to book.

Dementia Friendly Health and Nature Walk – Gillespie Park

Wednesday 18 May at 2pm

Islington Ecology Centre, Gillespie Park

Join Jo on a guided walk around Gillespie Park this Dementia Action Week to give yourself a nature boost. This walk especially welcomes those living with dementia and their carers, though anyone is welcome to join.

Click here for more information.

The Dementia Choir

Every Monday 12.30pm – 1.30pm (except Monday 30 May)

Brickworks Community Centre, 42 Crouch Hill, N4 4BY

The Dementia Choir are looking for singers to join our brand new singing group, for people living with dementia.


No experience is required. Just come and have fun! Meetings take place every week, and are relaxed, fun way to meet other people who know what it’s like living with or supporting a loved one with dementia.

Click here for more information.

Memory Café

The Memory Café is open from 10.30am to 12.30pm every Tuesday.

Christ Church Highbury, 155 Highbury Grove, N5 1SA

There is more information available on the Christ Church Highbury website.

Cecilia’s Café

The Dementia Café runs fortnightly throughout the year

The next meeting will be Wednesday 25 May 1.30pm – 4.30pm

Hargrave Hall Community Centre, Hargrave Road, London N19 5SP

Chat to people who have been affected by dementia in a friendly and relaxed, social environment at the Cecilia’s dementia café.

If you would like more information about any of the services available, please call 020 8121 5626/07484 089543 or email islington@alzheimers.org.uk.

Memory Group

Every Monday from 11.00am to 12.30pm

Sotheby Day Centre, 2 Sotheby Mews, Sotheby Road, N5 2UT

Please call David on 07400085886 or the centre on 020 7226 1421 for more details.

For more information on Islington’s dementia-friendly activities and services, please visit One You Islington.

Advice and support:

Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Connect Support Line

If you need dementia support either for yourself or someone you know, call the Alzheimer’s Society support line on 0333 150 3456 to speak with expert advisors. Dementia advisers will listen and give you the support and advice you need, including coronavirus advice, connecting you to help you need. 

Online support

Online support is available round the clock on Dementia Connect website where you will be asked a few simple questions about yourself, or someone you know, to get personalised relevant information and advice.

Dementia UK: Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline:
Call the Dementia Helpline for free on 0800 888 6678, send an email to helpline@dementiauk.org or fill in the form on the Dementia UK website.

Visit the Alzheimer’s Society’s website to find out more about how you can get involved in Dementia Action week.