Author: Isobel Wise

Our gardening sessions with older patients at the BRI are full of touching moments, but Abi shared a particularly beautiful interaction with Ms M. this week as they were going around the garden…

“You showing me those violets reminds me – when we were younger we’d go to Cornwall and see the Cornish violets – they were huge, they’re so beautiful. That’s the thing, now I’m losing it a bit up there, I can’t remember what I said to someone five minutes ago but I spend more time thinking about lovely memories from the good old days. I think more about things from the past, the positive things.”

It was such a beautiful statement about reimagining dementia that Abi asked her if there was anything else she’d want people to know. She was so enthusiastic to talk, she said:

“Well just go and get it checked out. I sat worrying and wondering for ages, I don’t know what made me do it in the end but I just picked up the phone and called the doctors. It’s so easy.

I’d tell someone never be afraid to talk, to call a helpline or the doctors. I got all the tests and scans done and found out it was Alzheimer’s, it’s so much better to know what it is, that there’s a name for it and I can get some help, not that I’m going completely mad.

So I’d say to just talk – talking is as good as a dose as they say! If any of these thoughts can be a help to someone else then I am very happy to share them!”

She picked hops and made friends with other patients at the table and the volunteers, enjoyed tea and jam tarts and was so lit up. After telling us about her various jobs, family and general philosophies, she said:

“I am so grateful, It’s been wonderful to have someone with me to reminisce in my wanderings. We are basically housebound at home, it gets very lonely, it gets hard to keep going on – you think, what’s the point?

But talking like this really makes a difference.”

Here are some wonderful quotes from our Memory Connections groups about how a diagnosis of dementia hasn’t stopped them from doing what they enjoy and living in the moment.

In light of World Alzheimer’s Month, the responses were also inspired by the groups’ conversations about Beverly-Glenn Copeland, an 82-year old singer-songwriter living with dementia.

Defying advice to simply ‘stay at home’ after receiving his diagnosis, Glenn is currently on a world tour, having recently played in Bristol and at End of the Road Festival; “I have places I want to see, I have people I want to meet, I have a mission still yet to live”.

Here’s what our members shared with us:

“I can still speak fluent French. Je suis moi meme! I can also still do cryptic crosswords and restore china.”

“I still have lots of skills – I could still beat you in the boxing ring.”

“I still regularly do park runs at the weekend and I really enjoy going to a weekly choir which makes me very happy – we have lots of fun there!”

“I still have the inner standup comedian in me. If a day passes without my finding something funny it has been a very strange day – and something to reflect upon.”

“I still enjoy dancing and am starting a ballet class soon.”

“I still want to travel and see new parts of the world. I am going on a cruise soon!”

“Much to enjoy before it’s too late!”

“I love travelling and have covered many countries in the world. Day to day – what makes me love word games (Count Down), number games (Sudoku) and crosswords. I also love spending time with my grandchildren.”

“I’m going to continue being who I am and doing the things that I enjoy doing!”

“I had a happy life and remember when my husband was alive. I am a cheerful person really!”

“I still do things I enjoy doing whenever I can. It’s important to do that.”

. . .

We’re so grateful to all of them for being so generous and open with us.

This World Alzheimer’s Day, the theme is: “The Earlier You Know, The More You Can Do: A Dementia Diagnosis Matters.”

For many people, the thought of receiving a dementia diagnosis is frightening. Fear, stigma and misunderstanding can make it tempting to ignore the signs, put off seeking help or explain away changes as simply “getting older”.

But dementia is not an inevitable part of ageing. And while receiving a diagnosis can be incredibly difficult, not knowing does not stop dementia from being there. It can simply leave people, and their families, trying to cope without answers, understanding or support.

An early diagnosis can give someone something incredibly important: time.

Time to understand what is happening. Time to talk openly with the people they love. Time to make choices about their future, put practical arrangements in place and access the right treatment and support. Most importantly, it can give people more time to focus on what they can still do and how they want to live.

Because a diagnosis does not suddenly change who someone is.

The person who receives that diagnosis is still a parent, partner, friend, colleague, gardener, football supporter, musician or storyteller. They still have skills, opinions, humour and a need to feel valued. They still need friendship, purpose, connection and joy.

At Alive, we see every day what is possible when people living with dementia are supported to continue doing the things that matter to them. At our Dementia Meeting Centres, Memory Connections groups, gardens and activity sessions, people form friendships, learn new things, rediscover old interests and support one another.

They laugh. They contribute. They make choices. They live.

A diagnosis can open the door to this kind of support – but only if that support is there and people know how to find it. Too many individuals and families are still left waiting for answers or unsure where to turn after diagnosis. We must do better.

We also need to challenge the stigma that continues to surround dementia. Too often, a diagnosis is treated as though a person’s life has ended or their voice no longer matters.

People may be spoken over, excluded from decisions or underestimated.

That stigma can be as limiting as the condition itself.

We need a society in which people feel able to seek help without shame or fear. A society where professionals listen carefully, families are supported and communities understand how to include people rather than withdraw from them. And we must listen to people living with dementia themselves – asking what they want, what they need and what helps them to live well.

An earlier diagnosis will not remove all the difficulties dementia can bring. But it can replace uncertainty with understanding. It can connect people with support and give families a clearer path forward. It can create opportunities to plan, adapt and make the most of the time ahead.

This World Alzheimer’s Day, let us talk more openly about dementia. Let us notice the signs, listen without judgement and encourage people to seek help. Let us challenge the fear and stigma that prevent too many people from getting the answers they deserve.

Because a dementia diagnosis matters.

The earlier you know, the more you can understand, the more you can plan, and the more you can do.

Isobel Jones, CEO of Alive

Shortlisted for the ‘Organisation’ Award, we’re incredibly proud to announce that we’ve been named finalists in the Bristol Dementia Awards for 2026.

It means so much to celebrate the passion of our team and their commitment to helping people living with dementia, and those that support them, to live well.

We can’t wait to celebrate with Bristol Dementia Action Alliance and our fellow finalists on the 9th October.

Find out more about the Bristol Dementia Awards.

What a year it’s been for Alive.

One of two halves, we began the year facing financial uncertainty and ended it with renewed confidence.

Throughout every challenge, we remained focused on our mission to improve the wellbeing of older people across Bristol and North Somerset. Our Community Groups and Gardening Projects flourished and we welcomed national awards, media recognition, and exciting new opportunities.

But our greatest achievement remains the difference made to the people we support every day.

Thank you to all those that support us.

Click the front page below to read Alive’s Impact Report 2025-26.

As World Alzheimer’s Month kicks off today, we put together a handy guide to our community services in Bristol & North Somerset for people living with dementia and their carers.

Read it below:

Download the guide as a PDF

If you would like to learn more about our groups, click on the links below.

Dementia Meeting Centres

Community Allotments

Bristol Elders Groups

Support Groups in Winscombe

Memory Connections

Hospital Gardens

Community Gardens

To find out more about any of our services or chat with us, please reach out at 07861 385 543 or info@aliveactivities.org.

Diagnosed with early onset dementia two years ago, Ewan’s mum is one of our members at our Memory Connections groups.

This October, he’s taking on the Bath to Bristol Railway Race, running 25km along the Bristol to Bath cycle path, to raise money for Alive, inspired by his mum, Sue.

Ewan says:

About 2 years ago my mum, Sue, was diagnosed with early onset dementia. Running was something that my mum did all the time and was certainly an inspiration to me; running a marathon at 60 and doing over 300 parkruns.

Explaining the feeling of seeing someone go through this disease is difficult. It takes away someone you love in front of your eyes and I imagine, like other diseases, makes you feel powerless to stop it. On a slightly nicer note this is made 1000 times easier by the fact my Mum is mostly in a good mood, always joking and always seeing the funny side of life.

Whilst I know how much my Mum is going through it can be the people around someone suffering which are hit the hardest. Things like Memory Connections that Alive put on have helped my Mum and Dad meet people on the same journey, talk and confide but also realise they are not alone.

Donating to Alive helps keep these events going and provide a really invaluable service to dementia patients and their families.

Any donations however small are greatly appreciated!

Ewan x

You can donate to Ewan’s fundraiser here.

Delivering a creative workshop for some of the older people we support, it’s been brilliant to hear of the intergenerational connections formed between work experience students at the Royal West of England Academy and Bristol Elders Groups members.

The RWA’s Work Experience programme gives young people aged 14 to 19 the chance to complete a two-week placement, supporting young people who experience challenges in education due to SEN, offering first-hand experience of working in an art gallery and building confidence in a professional setting. The seven students chosen this year, named their group ‘Young Minds’.

As part of the experience, students worked with freelance artist Victoria Willmott to lead a creative workshop for some of the Caribbean Elders we support. Thanked by the RWA’s Head of Learning & Engagement for being a ‘big part’ of the students’ experience over the summer, members from the Evergreens group described the workshop as ‘therapeutic’ and loved its intergenerational nature.

A huge thank you to the students of ‘Young Minds’ and the RWA team.

You can read more about the experience on the RWA website.
Learn more about the Bristol Elders Groups.

The Good Life with Dementia is a six-week course designed for people living with dementia. Each session has been co-designed by people with lived experience of dementia, who have chosen the topics they believe are most valuable and relevant for others living with the condition.

The course will be held at The Park, Daventry Road, Knowle on Thursday mornings from 10:30 to 12:30 and will start on September 3rd.

If this sounds of interest and you would like to know more, please get in touch by emailing jen@aliveactivities.org or calling 07768 917 120.

We were thrilled to accept a very generous donation from Westbury Scottish Country Dance Club at their Charity Dance last weekend.

Maintaining a long tradition of fundraising for a charity each season – usually a small, local charity – the club has raised an amazing £1,756.14 for Alive.

Our Office & Services Manager, Carmel attended the dance to thank the club for their amazing efforts and tell them about our work supporting older people and their carers.

Find out more about donating to Alive.