New dementia awareness films premiere in Wrexham

A new series of films designed to create a better understanding of dementia have been premiered at a screening in Wrexham.

Over 100 guests got an exclusive preview of the five short ‘Living Better with Dementia’ films at the Odeon Cinema on Wednesday, 13 March.

The guests, including members of the public, health and social care staff, attended matinee and evening showings of the film that aim to raise awareness and provide support for people living with or caring for someone with dementia.

The five films can be viewed separately or as a continuous 32-minute film and address the following topics:

• What is dementia?
• When to seek help
• Getting a diagnosis
• Living with dementia
• Planning for the future

The idea for the films came from Professor Tracey Williamson, Consultant Nurse for Dementia at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

Prof Williams said she hopes the films will help to “create a better understanding of dementia in North Wales and beyond.”

She added: “We are really pleased with the five films created by local company Eternal Media Ltd in Wrexham.

“The films are unscripted and the personal accounts within them are told by people whose lives have been affected by dementia.

“The films will have a wide reach beyond Wales I am sure and can be used for gaining information or for training.

“I am grateful to the five film stars, plus our own Consultant Psychiatrist Dr Sharmi Bhattacharyya who narrated it. Thanks also go to the Caniad community support project which helped identify film participants.”

Marcus Fair, Director at Eternal Media Ltd, said: “‘We’re all so incredibly proud to have been given the opportunity to work on this ground-breaking series.

“BCUHB’s proactive and innovative approach to dementia is a testament to the talent, professionalism and compassion of their team.

“The cast were incredibly generous with their time and shared valuable stories that will help many others.

“Thank you to everyone involved throughout the multiple agencies who supported the productions.”

Luke Pickering-Jones, North Wales Dementia Improvement Manager, who organised the premieres, added: “The premieres enabled us to promote the films more widely and reach maximum audiences, to get the most benefit from them.

“Colleagues at the Odeon Cinema were hugely supportive in helping us make our event accessible, fun and a great example of community engagement”

The films were funded by the Mental Health & Learning Disabilities Division, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and the premieres funded by the North Wales Regional Partnership Board, which was keen for the films to gain maximum reach across North Wales and beyond.