A Camberwell Church is leading dementia-friendly walks in local gardens amidst rising rates of the condition. 

The church, Copleston Church and Community Centre, says the walk for dementia sufferers will help them retain ‘memories about the area’. 

The walks, which started this autumn, explore different gardens around Southwark, including Lettsom Gardens in Camberwell. 

Marq Bailey, one of the Lettsom Gardens members, tweeted to the group: “Lettsom Gardens is delighted that you took in the quiet woody wilderness of the Gardens on your walk today.” 

Southwark – which has 288,283 residents as of 2011 – is one of the target areas for dementia, according to Southwark Council. Its prevalence in residents 65 and over is 4.5%, which is close to the national and London averages of 4.3% and 4.5%. 

According to Alzheimers.org.uk, there are around 850,000 people in the UK with dementia. This is predicted to rise to 1.6 million by 2040. 

Alzheimer’s Society also states there is a higher likelihood of dementia affecting black residents. Southwark’s amount of Black British residents is 65,387 – 22.6% per cent of the borough’s overall population.  

The charity said on its website: “While dementia prevalence may be higher amongst black men than white men, they are actually less likely to receive a dementia diagnosis. Black and white women were found to be just as likely to receive a diagnosis.” 

In response to this, Copleston’s walks bring a positive light to the condition by encouraging the whole community to join and support the inclusive walks around the area.  

Copleston’s dementia-friendly walks are volunteer led, supported by the staff of Lettsom Gardens and South London Urban Gardeners. 

They consist of a planned route, led by volunteer Keith Turpin, to lead this NHS recommended exercise. The aided walks are accompanied with discussions about works on Bromar Road and St Francis Park, to allow for kind discussion points.