The CAMEO project is a support group for people in the early stages of dementia. The group offers its members the opportunity to meet others and enjoy leisure activities whilst allowing carers to have a break. There is an activity programme in place which is planned around the interests of each person with memory loss. This seeks to stimulate the person’s imagination as well as offering opportunities for them to interact on a familiar topic. Carers can stay with the person they care for, or they may leave and return later if they prefer.

The group is free to attend, and participants are given a lovely lunch and refreshments. Often carers and those they care for lose touch with friends and family because of the illness. This can lead to isolation and feelings of loneliness and perhaps depression. Getting out to a support group can expand carers’ social networks and help improve their overall sense of wellbeing.

Lucy Whiting, from the Crossroads Care Cheshire West and Wirral CAMEO group explains:
"We are so delighted the CAMEO group has been awarded a Kerrygold Community Award. We received an overwhelming level of support with over 500 comments posted on the Kerrygold Award site. This highlights the effect and scale that dementia has on people’s lives and the need for a support group like CAMEO to help families and individuals through such a difficult time.”

With the help of the Kerrygold Community Awards cash prize, the group hope to raise their awareness and guarantee ongoing support to its members. Lucy goes on to explain the win will “make a huge difference” to the lives of dementia suffers and their carers.