On 28th and 29th June a remarkable young man called Jez Rose is coming to Burford to give the Contented Dementia Trust home a thorough makeover, both inside and outside the buildings. Jez has made this pledge in memory of his much loved grandmother who died recently.  She had dementia, and Jez came across our book Contented Dementia towards the end of her life.  The makeover is quite an undertaking:  Jez has been recruiting helpers from far and wide,  and getting people to donate to this cause in a number of ways  – helping financially, providing materials or pledging their own time.

If you can get to Burford even for a short time at some point over the weekend, there will be a huge list of tasks written up on a board in reception, from which to choose, major and minor, working in pairs, ticking off as we go.  Even just popping in to have a cup of coffee and taking interest in what others are doing would provide a feeling of camaraderie over the weekend!

Volunteers to date include a professional decorator, plumber, roofer and gardener, all chiefs in search of Indians.  Jez also plans to advertise a number of items at the hospital for sale on e-bay (such as a seriously huge free-standing safe which no-one can lift!),  and other rather more exciting articles which are being donated to our virtual Burford shop.

Jez’s story: “My Grandma passed away on 1st November last year having suffered terribly with dementia for a number of years. There are few things more heartbreaking than watching someone you love so dearly (I was very close to her) lose their memory, slowly fade way and forget their entire life. You’re left with a confused, scared person who doesn’t recognise anyone anymore. Unable to be comforted, unable to be reasoned with and who dies so utterly alone and very often undignified.

It is an atrocity that modern healthcare is appalling when it comes to those suffering with dementia. They are often restrained and the treatment they receive further confuses them and deteriorates their dementia.

But the Contented Dementia Trust, who I adopted last year as my corporate charity partner, does just remarkable things. Dementia doesn’t have to be this way. They are pioneering a unique way of understanding and dealing with those suffering with dementia and perhaps more importantly, those who care for them. The Trust has great plans afoot, and the charity really is now moving forward and increasing its influence.  The world needs to know about the remarkable work going on at Burford.

The Trust has the most beautiful old hospital building that they fought to preserve, nestled in the picturesque Cotswold village of Burford. The building is old and desperately needs a make over. I need man power – people – paint, wood, tools and plants to decorate rooms, spruce up communal areas, tidy the garden, move abandoned hospital equipment to utilise more rooms, repair roofs and walls and generally give the SPECAL team a calm, inspiring, relaxing, professional and happy place to work and be. As with most charities, they are too busy doing the great things that the charity is about and it’s up to people like us to fill in the gaps and provide for them.

If everyone I knew gave just £1, I would double my target. But my plea goes further than £1. If you are available on 28th or 29th June 2014, for any time at all to come to Burford and offer your mind, your hands and your strength, I would be forever grateful. We will all be old and the prevalence of dementia and Alzheimers is on the increase due to neurological pressures we face in the modern world. If I get dementia, I want to have a place like the Contented Dementia Trust. Please help.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure.

http://justgiving.com/JezRose Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

If you are able to help in any way please email Carol Fowler at admin@contenteddementiatrust.org   and let her know how you can help.