Celebrating Memories for Alzheimer's Month

The 'Celebrating Memories' event to mark World Alzheimer's Month, in September, is to be held at Exeter Science Park in collaboration with Exeter Dementia Action Alliance.

The event marks the fifth anniversary of the Alliance launching Exeter COSY Routes, a community wellbeing and dementia awareness initiative, that details routes of between four miles to a marathon distance that people can walk or run around the city.

The route passes right alongside the Science Park, making it the perfect venue for this special event on Sunday 28th September, timing from 10am to 2pm. People wishing to attend can register in advance for free through Eventbrite to secure a commemorative COSY Route medal.

The Science Park cafe will be open, selling drinks and light refreshments. There will be displays of COSY images drawn by the late Private Eye illustrator Tony Husband, photos, and a video showing, in the park's covered Dome, which has scenic countryside views. People can simply enjoy a relaxing time at the Dome and outside space chatting, and sharing memories and thoughts of loved ones who live or lived with dementia. A handmade baton inscribed 'Celebrating Memories' that was carried on a baton relay across the city in 2022 will be on display and people can share their memories to be added to the baton's digital memory stick.

The Science Park can also be used as a setting off point that day for anyone wishing to walk or run part, or all of the full 26.2 miles COSY route, which circles the city of Exeter. There will be maps and route description of a suggested short walk of around 4 miles, which will take in the 21st century pedestrian Redhayes Bridge across the M5, as well as the 700-year-old Clyst St Mary Bridge, historically the main road link to London. A led walk along this mainly quiet rural route, which includes off-road footpaths with stiles, will set off at 10.30am. The Science Park and nearby Redhayes Bridge is fully wheelchair accessible. The park has free on site parking and good public transport links. The on site Voco Zeal Hotel is open to non-residents for drinks and lunches.

Since the Exeter COSY Routes project was launched in 2020, the website www.exetercosyroutes.wordpress.com has been viewed more than 10,000 times, and the nine route options have downloaded in excess of 3,000 times.

COSY Routes creator Jo Earlam said: "I hope that people who've enjoyed walking or running any of the COSY Routes in recent years will come along and share their experience of what it was like, and register in advance to get their free medal on the day. If you haven't tried any of the routes yet, this is an ideal opportunity to find out more and again by registering in advance receive a route medal. I very much hope that people living with dementia and their carers will join us at the Science Park, and find it a supportive, understanding event to attend, and again do register to let us know you're attending and receive a medal. We're very thankful to the Science Park for giving this opportunity to raise awareness of dementia. As a carer for my husband John, who lives with dementia, raising awareness and connecting with other carers is hugely important, and we want to reach as many people as possible with this event for World Alzheimer's Month. Figures show that one in two of us will be affected by dementia in our lifetime, either living with dementia, as a carer, or both. Exercise, especially walking, has been shown to be of benefit in delaying the onset of dementia and help those living with it. All sections of the COSY Routes have suggested dementia accessible options and we'd love to see more people getting out and enjoying some of the scenic views around the city."

Gina Awad, Founder and Lead of the alliance said “We are incredibly proud and grateful to Exeter Science Park for hosting our ‘Celebrating Memories’ event as part of World Alzheimer’s Month. This event is about connection between people, places and shared experiences. It offers an inclusive space where people living with dementia, their carers, and the wider community can come together to reflect, walk, and feel supported. At the Exeter Dementia Action Alliance we raise awareness across the community, especially within organisations and businesses, so they can better understand and support those affected by dementia. Our work is guided by the voices and experiences of people living with dementia and their families. We are so grateful to our sponsors; DCW Polymers, Stonehaven Care Group, Gravita, Southern Healthcare, Wilkinson Grant & Co, In Memory of David Brian Clement, Rodney Spiller Wealth Management, In Memory of Michael & Pam Baker.”

This is an open to all event, and as such, this event is free of charge to join!

Please note: Photos will be taken throughout the day to help promote and raise further awareness of the event on the day.