Last Wednesday, 17th September, the Merseyway Shopping Centre in Stockport was buzzing with activity for the annual Stockport Volunteer Fair. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., over 40 brilliant organisations set up stalls to connect with the public and find passionate new volunteers.
I was there representing Dementia Disco, and what a fantastic day it was. The atmosphere was brilliant, and I spoke to so many people keen to learn more about our work and how they could get involved.
A huge thank you to Eirwen Stevens, who kindly took over the stall for me over lunchtime. It gave me a much-needed break to grab some food and recharge!
While Eirwen was there, she met Dr Sophie French from the Public Health team at Stockport Council. Dr French is currently gathering case studies for an upcoming report on Creative Health, and she would like to feature Dementia Disco. This is a brilliant opportunity to showcase the positive impact our work has on the community.
The response from the public was genuinely overwhelming, and we’re already seeing the results. We've had one application come through already, with a few more expected in the coming days. The event was a huge success for us, and it was great to see so much community spirit on display.
A big thank you to Sector 3 who organised the fair. It's truly inspiring to see so many people dedicated to making a positive difference in our local area. If you missed out on the day, remember there are always opportunities to volunteer with great causes right here in Stockport!
If you would like to know more about volunteering for Dementia Disco check out our website here:
Get ready to put on your dancing shoes, because we're thrilled to announce the date for our annual fundraiser for 2026! Join us for a night of incredible live performances, dancing, and fun, all in support of a great cause.
This year's fundraiser was a huge success, raising an incredible £6.4k for the charity! If you want to relive the magic, you can check out a video from the event here.
We're aiming to make the 2026 fundraiser even bigger and better, so please SAVE THE DATE:
When: Saturday, 25th April, from 5 p.m. until 11:30 p.m.
Where: Stockport Masonic Guildhall
You can look forward to a fantastic evening packed with entertainment. We'll have a mix of live music, including DJs and bands, as well as a special acoustic performance. Your ticket price will also include a delicious hot meal to keep you energised for a night on the dance floor.
There will also be plenty of opportunities to win big with our amazing raffle and auction prizes, and you can even pick up some of our awesome merchandise!
To make this event our best one yet, we are actively seeking corporate sponsorship. If you or your business would be interested in helping us put on this event or supplying raffle and auction prizes, please get in touch and help us spread the word!
0300 102 7042
hello@dementiadisco.org
More details, including information on how to get your tickets, will be shared soon. In the meantime, mark your calendars and get ready for an unforgettable evening. We can't wait to see you there!
An enormous thank you to John and Cathy Stead of J & C. S. Developments Ltd for an incredible fundraising evening!
The event, Steady's Race Night, took place on Friday, 5th September, at the Davenport Lawn Tennis Club. Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of their family, friends, and business supporters, they raised an incredible £2,074.50 for Dementia Disco!
John's parents, Barbara and Frank Stead, attend our discos and told John they always have a wonderful time, so this cause is especially close to their hearts. We are so grateful for their support and for the amazing sense of community and friendship our discos provide.
A special shout-out to the generous businesses who supported the event:
Rosedene Hotel Llandudno
The Flower Park
Cookson Hardware
Grimshaw Render
Dawes Security
Modern Windows
Edward Mayes Trust
Lintels NWDR Electrical
Shallcross Vehicle Solutions
Your support means the world to us and will help us continue to bring joy and music to people living with dementia.
Thank you, John, Cathy, and everyone involved!
Not all weeks are created equal, but this one was a bobby dazzler!
It started on Wednesday 10th September with The Stockport Moves Network meeting at the fantastic Stockroom. It was my first time in the space and it was well worth the wait. Thanks so much to Steve Flynn for the invite and for being such a wonderful host. It was great to see my friend Mike Lee from Care Your Way Stockport and to meet so many new people who are all doing brilliant things to get Stockport moving. I also discovered some new funding opportunities that might be a great fit for Dementia Disco.
Thursday was just as inspiring. In the morning, I attended the Proper Good Business Club at the beautiful Signpost Stockport for Carers building. The theme was Social Impact, and I was so impressed with Kell Degnen from Marbury Edible Garden and how she’s putting social value into practice. I can't wait for her training session to find out more!
That afternoon, I headed to the Dementia Network Group meeting for Cheshire East at East Cheshire Hospice. It was a great opportunity to network and hear about all the wonderful dementia support groups in the area. I was really moved by Ian Carter, the founder of No-Tier Snooker Society. Ian was diagnosed with Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) and, despite losing his career, he found a new purpose in his love for snooker, creating a club specifically for people with FTD or early-onset dementia. What a legend!
The meeting also featured a powerful dementia exercise where a group of us wore equipment to simulate the symptoms of dementia. The glasses blurred my vision, the headphones played white noise, the gloves made my hands clumsy, and the insoles affected my gait. The impact was immediate and honestly, quite frightening. Trying to do something as simple as colouring in a picture was incredibly difficult—even just holding the pen was a struggle. It was an overwhelming experience that made me feel really emotional, as I thought about how my dad must have felt. If you have loved ones with dementia and you get a chance to do this exercise I would recommend it. It will give you an insight into what life must be like for those living with this illness.
To top off this incredible week, I ran a Dementia Disco this afternoon at the Disley Community Centre for their afternoon tea party! The dancefloor was packed!
