The Spectator

But if you’re still feeling philanthropic…

If you’re disheartened by the politicisation of big charities, here’s a selection of smaller charities recommended by Spectator staff.

If you’re disheartened by the politicisation of big charities, here’s a selection of smaller charities recommended by Spectator staff.

If you’re disheartened by the politicisation of big charities, here’s a selection of smaller charities recommended by Spectator staff.

For Dementia

Living with someone who has dementia is very hard. The person you knew slowly disappears and you are left with a stranger who has changed almost beyond recognition. A sense of isolation descends, along with the feeling that no one quite understands what you — the carer — are going through. Which is where the charity For Dementia comes in. It was started 14 years ago by a family (one of whom had Alzheimer’s) who found that there was a lack of specialised help both for those with dementia and for their carers. They set up the charity to give professional advice through its Admiral Nurse network of mental health nurses who specialise in dementia care. No matter how understanding one’s family and friends try to be, a professional who gives practical and especially emotional support to sufferer and carer is invaluable. I know that if I hadn’t been able to see an Admiral Nurse when I lived with someone with Alzheimer’s, I would have been unable to cope. The nurse quite simply kept me sane. There are now about 700,000 people in the UK with dementia, and with an ageing population this is set to increase. But throughout the country there are only around 70 Admiral Nurses. And it is because of the rising number of enquiries and the inability of many carers to plug into the Admiral Nurse network that For Dementia has also set up a telephone information and support line (and email) staffed by Admiral Nurses.
Liz Anderson

Admiral Nursing Direct: 0845 257 9406; www.fordementia.org.uk; direct@fordementia.org.uk

The Robyn Higgins Appeal

I give to a couple of biggish charities via direct debit because if I didn’t I’d give nothing at all, as I almost never feel charitable towards anything or anyone.

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