A group of Brownies have become the latest people in the district to become dementia aware, gaining a new badge in the process!

The 2nd Countesthorpe Brownies, based at Thistly Meadow Primary School, have been taking on several challenges for their new badge.

From making flowers, creating memory games and hosting a friends and family tea party, the brownies have been learning about living well with dementia.

Their huge efforts have raised over £140 for the Alzheimer’s Society.

The badge came from local PCSO Julie Hodkinson, in memory of her friend Winnie.

The project has been funded by Blaby District Council, a partner of the Dementia Action Alliance, and gave a dementia friends talk at the badge-giving celebration event.

Councillor Iain Hewson, Portfolio Holder for Health improvement, Leisure and Regulatory Services, who attended the celebration event, said: “I’m so proud to see a group of young people in the district working so hard towards gaining their new badge, and learning so much about being dementia friendly.

“We hope the messages they have taken from this project will be passed onto their friends and families, as we continue our commitment to make as many people in the District of Blaby aware of dementia.”

Charlotte Jeickles, Leader of the 2nd Countesthorpe Brownies, said: “We have enjoyed the dementia awareness challenge and have learnt lots about living well with dementia. The brownies raised £142.50 for the Alzheimer’s Society and really enjoyed being visited by dementia friends.”

The project was first piloted by Hinckley GirlGuiding and the Hinckley & Bosworth Dementia Action Alliance, who put the booklet together and created the badges.

Anyone interested in their local GirlGuiding group taking part in the dementia aware challenge can contact 0116 272 7544 or email leisure@blaby.gov.uk.

[Photo: Blaby District Council]