Purple Angel dementia campaign

Purple Angel Coming Full Circle and possibly a little bit more

MY IDEA.......

A long time ago, In a galaxy far far away, known locally as Torquay in Devon UK a community group was formed called the Torbay Dementia Action Alliance which decided to take a sheet of paper to each of the stores in Torbay with a few bullet points on how to help those with dementia they became across who visited their business's. Three years later, and thousands of Stores, both UK and worldwide received the same, the global phenomenon known worldwide as the "Purple Angel Dementia Campaign and charity was born.

It was such a simple idea that spawned so many other actions that now help so many across the UK and the world, just one small simple idea that can be completed by most people. Yes in those days we got off our bums and walked around the shops delivering this info to individual business's which were ever so grateful for this as we became known as the charity that cares.......

" PRESENT DAY.......

At least three times a month here at the Mc Namara household we get a phone call from a very worried shopkeeper, business owner, and even the police themselves when they have come across an elderly person who has no idea where they are, where they live and sometimes who they are and are so distraught and confused. Most business owners are at a complete loss and so frustrated at what to do or who to contact so they can help this very vulnerable person in front of them, last weekend was such an instance here in our household. where someone found our phone number and was at a loss for what to do. It made me realise that outside of the circle I deal with every day, most people have never heard of the LOCAL SAFEGUARDING TEAM, or out-of-hours social services, rapid response medical teams, let alone have their phone numbers on hand, ready to ring in case of emergency and this is where we come in.

" THE PURPLE ANGEL DEMENTIA WATCH "

Or Just " Dementia Watch " if you don't want to use the Purple Angel name as we have never been precious about sharing our ideas and hope that people actually DO COPY US.

This is where you find out your own local phone numbers of the teams mentioned above, both Monday to Friday and OUT OF HOURS, put them on a small poster with not too much color so to keep the cost down, and distribute them amongst shops and businesses in your area. Yes, you could argue that they could look it up themselves or google the number, but not only is the time of the essence sometimes but also so many have never heard of the safeguarding teams etc., and just want to help a fellow human being, and when you think about it, that person who has arrived in their shop, crying, upset, feeling so frightened and vulnerable could be your very own mum, dad, gran, grandad, or brother for sister!!! Wouldn't you want to know that others are able to help when they go missing??

This , ONCE AGAIN is such a simple idea at very little cost (Printing ) but the results of swift action when helping these vulnerable people really could be life-saving!! You would be possibly helping save someone's life!! I am in the process of trying to think of the best poster and also the correct phone numbers to produce and of course, discuss this with our own purple Angel team here in Torquay where it all started all those years ago. Please don't worry, the footwork can be made easier by including supporting voluntary groups such as the Rotary and the Lions Club etc. So you don't have to do the footwork. The shops could also be given a Purple Angel sticker for their window so the general public know where to turn if they come across a person in distress on the street as well, Yes this is an additional cost but may be covered by a business that is feeling generous and if very nicely asked.

I personally think, once again the very simplicity of this idea could help so many . what do you think, please ??

I would appreciate your thoughts, please

Norrms xxx