Blown away by your support

Monday 14th Sep Just wanted to say a massive thank you for all the support, ive just been informed we have reached the initial fundraising target set which is amazing, I've upped it, however for me im more about raising the awareness, every penny is vital in supporting people and families with dementia  Share

walking, listening and understanding

Wednesday 9th Sep

When I started my 30-mile walking challenge for Dementia UK, I knew I wanted to do more than simply count the miles.

I wanted each mile to have a purpose.

Working with people living with dementia has taught me that dementia is so much more than forgetting things. It can affect communication, confidence, relationships, identity and the way someone experiences the world around them. So, throughout this challenge, I’ve been using each walk as an opportunity to stop, think and explore a different part of the dementia journey.

Some walks have been with residents, some with family and friends, and some have been much quieter — walks where I've simply had time to reflect.

I've thought about the early signs of dementia: the missed appointments, misplaced belongings, forgotten birthdays and the wrong word appearing in a sentence. Individually, these things can happen to any of us, but when changes become persistent and begin affecting everyday life, they can be important signs that something isn't quite right.

I've also thought about what it must feel like to be the person experiencing those changes.

Imagine knowing something is happening to you, but not always being able to explain it. Imagine knowing you've forgotten something but being unable to remember what it was. Imagine the frustration of having a thought in your head but struggling to find the words to express it.

Dementia doesn't simply take memories. It can gradually change how someone understands and interacts with the world around them.

One of my walks made me think particularly about relationships and the people who support someone living with dementia. Being a partner, family member or friend of someone with dementia can bring its own challenges. There isn't always training or preparation. Sometimes support simply means knowing when to ask about someone's day, when to give them space, or when they don't need words at all — just a hug.

I've also reflected on the importance of knowing the person behind the dementia.

How well do we really know our parents, grandparents, partners or friends? Their childhoods, their careers, their friendships, their achievements, their struggles and the things that made them who they are?

Because dementia may change someone's memories, but it doesn't erase the life they've lived.

And then there are the quieter moments.

Some days I've walked with someone and talked. Other days I've walked in almost complete silence. Surprisingly, those silent walks have sometimes given me the most to think about.

They've reminded me that connection doesn't always require conversation.

A smile, a shared view, a familiar song, holding someone's hand or simply being there can all be meaningful. For a person living with dementia, familiar experiences and relationships can provide reassurance and a sense of security, even when words and memories become harder to access.

I've also learned that awareness isn't just about understanding dementia — it's about challenging the assumptions we can make about people living with it.

A diagnosis doesn't suddenly make someone a different person.

They are still someone's mum, dad, husband, wife, friend, neighbour or loved one. They still have opinions, emotions, humour, preferences and stories to tell.

And perhaps most importantly, they still deserve to be heard, included and valued.

So as I continue my 30 miles, I'm realising that I'm not really just walking 30 miles.

I'm walking through different perspectives.

I'm walking for the person who is beginning to notice changes.

I'm walking for the person living with a diagnosis.

I'm walking for the families trying to understand what comes next.

I'm walking for the carers who sometimes need someone to recognise that they need support too.

And I'm walking for the people who may not yet understand dementia at all.

Every mile is giving me another reason to talk about it.

Because the more we understand dementia, the less frightening it can become — and the better equipped we are to support the people living with it.

30 miles. 30 opportunities to start a conversation.

And if even one person reads these posts and comes away understanding dementia a little differently, then every step will have been worth it.

Share