A GROUP providing support and advice to people living with dementia in the Ammanford area is continuing to thrive.

The Ammanford dementia support group – called DWFN, the Welsh word for ‘deep’ and is also short for Discussions With Ffrindiau Nerthol – has been set up to help provide people living with dementia with support and advice from those also living with the condition.

There is a stigma around the condition that it is a life ending diagnosis, but the group wants to show that it is possible to have a good life following a diagnosis and share tips on how to do so.

The group was set up in 2023 by Peter Clark from Ammanford, who is living with dementia himself, and initially started with just three or four people meeting up for an hour but over the last few months, the group has grown to more than 20 people living with the condition who are part of DWFN. Up to 12 of these meet every Tuesday for a couple of hours in the meeting room at the Glanafon retirement flats in Betws, Ammanford.

The group is steadily growing and currently has a committee including Anne who is chairwoman, Peter as secretary and George the treasurer. The aim is to share experiences and tips for how to live well with dementia in the local area, with the aim of dispelling the stigma associated with dementia.

They also want to encourage people with memory problems to seek help and a diagnosis as this will allow them to be assessed as to whether they could benefit from one of the range of treatments available which will help slow the decline and allow them to cope better with the implications.

DWFN is also aiming to branch out into the community to educate local businesses, health and other services – as well as local government departments – about how to handle any dealings with people with dementia effectively and productively.

The group is also in the process of creating a bank account to be able to collect donations and fund future activities. The group is also looking for people who are tech savvy and Welsh speakers to help with their exposure on social media and the internet, and to reach the Welsh speaking community.

DWFN is part of the UK-wide DEEP Network (Dementia Engagement and Empowerment Project). There are currently around 80 groups of people living with dementia in the network which is supported by Innovations in Dementia.

DWFN meets between 1pm and 3pm every Tuesday in the meeting room at Glanafon retirement flats in Betws, Ammanford. There will be tea, coffee, biscuits and games available and it is a chance to have a chat.

Anyone who would like to find out more, attend or wishes to help out, can pop into the meetings on a Tuesday or email Peter at DWFN@peter-clark.com.