AD | Family Games Night & raising funds for Dementia UK

As a family, we love board games. We have a pretty good collection that includes something for everyone in the family and beyond! This month, we are collaborating with Ideal Games & joining in to raise vital funds for Dementia UK with their Raise Your Game Campaign. Autumn is clearly here and Winter is practically knocking on our door. It is the perfect time to dig out the woolly jumpers and the classic board games to enjoy. More importantly, to help raise funds for Dementia UK.

Let me tell you more about the Dementia UK Raise Your Game campaign…

Dementia UK Raise Your Game Campaign

This month, Dementia UK launched its new fundraising event, Raise Your Game. This is aimed at encouraging people from all over the nation to hunt out those board games, enjoy time together and to help families face dementia with the funds raised.

With social distancing restrictions as they are currently, I know this won’t be easy to do with others outside of your home. However, that doesn’t mean it’s not possible. You can still host a family games night virtually to include more people that love board games too. And even better? The more people who join in, means more money being raised for Dementia UK.

Why does Dementia UK need this all-important funding? 

The funds being raised all over the UK will be put towards providing more Dementia Specialist Admiral Nurses. These Admiral Nurses provide the specialist dementia support that families need. They provide one-on-one support, practical solutions, expert guidance and even work alongside the person battling Dementia.

These Admiral Nurses help everyone involved to know what t expect, to be able to live more positively and with less fear of what comes next. They work with people and families affected by all types of Dementia. This includes Alzheimer’s disease, Frontotemporal dementia, Vascular dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies.

My own experience with Alzheimer’s Disease

My Granda battled Alzheimer’s disease, which is why taking part in this Raise Your Game Campaign is so important. I don’t remember us having an Admiral Nurse to walk us through it all. But it was tough. Everyone got on board to do their part, whether it was visiting every day to put cream on his hands, or to give him one of his much-loved fruity polo sweets. We all did our part.

Was witnessing my Grandas decline with Alzheimer’s one of the toughest things? Without a doubt. It is a horrendous disease and to see it unravel the wonderful mind of a man who I did nothing but look up too, was heart-wrenching. Watching him forget me was a feeling like no other. He forgot that I was his Granddaughter. The memories we made together, from my childhood and as I grew up, were now gone.

They say the oldest memories are the last to go and I have seen that myself to believe it. My Granda has two sons, and before he went into a care home, he could only remember his eldest, my Dad and he sadly forgot his younger son.

Let’s play a game & raise funds!

So as you can see, I clearly have my own reasons for taking part in this campaign. I’ve seen first hand what Dementia can do to a family and funding to assist families going through this is so, so important.

We were very kindly sent a crazy bundle from Ideal Games UK for this occasion. Some we have never played and some we love, so there is a great mix and more importantly, something for everyone! The three games in particular that were firm favourites have been Grabolo, Tetris Dual & Rubik’s Revolution. Which is a bit like the Bop it game? But with a Rubik’s Cube and we love it!

Here is how you can take part!

If you would like to take part, then here is how you can:

You can host a physical event, in your home, with your family and your bubble {if you have one}. Adhering to the current guidelines & restrictions active at the moment. 

Maybe you can host a virtual event via Zoom, Skype or House call. Both parties do not need the same board game, but it’s more fun if you do! 

Host a games marathon at home with your family!

You can read more information on how to Raise Your Game for Dementia UK and sign up for a free fundraising pack. The Raise Your Game Campaign is running throughout October, but you can host your games night whenever you like.

Disclosure: The bundle of games were gifted to us for this campaign. All thoughts, photos and opinions are entirely my own