Westerleigh Group has named Dementia UK, the specialist dementia nursing charity, as its new corporate charity partner and aims to raise £120,000 over the next year to support its vital work.

The charity's dementia specialist nurses, known as Admiral Nurses, provide life-changing advice and support to anyone affected by dementia, whenever it's needed.

Westerleigh Group is one of the UK’s largest independent owners and operators of crematoria and cemeteries, with 37 sites in England, Scotland, and Wales, all set within beautifully landscaped gardens of remembrance which provide pleasant, peaceful places for people to visit and reflect.

A further three crematoria are due to open by the end of the year.

Debbie Smith, Chief Executive Officer for Westerleigh Group said: “Founded in 1991, Westerleigh Group is committed to being at the heart of the community, always operating in a caring, considerate and sustainable way that is underpinned by strong social values.

“For that reason, colleagues throughout Westerleigh Group were asked to recommend which charities they would like us to support over the coming months and a shortlist was drawn up.

“This process resulted in Dementia UK being chosen as our new corporate charity partner.”

Debbie, added: “I’m delighted that Westerleigh has chosen to actively support Dementia UK and the amazing work they do, particularly the Admiral Nurses, who can be an absolute lifeline for families affected by dementia.

“After caring for my own mum who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, I have a lived in experience of the impact of the disease on my family and Dementia UK’s vital work.

“Dementia UK offer families reassurance, understanding and a listening ear that helps them feel more in control.

“Our colleagues are dedicated to serving their communities with exceptional care, a shared value between the two organisations. For that reason, we are well placed to support Dementia UK and leverage our partnership for the mutual benefit of local communities.”

Lucy Pilcher, Corporate Development Manager at Dementia UK, said: “We’re delighted to have been chosen as a charity partner by Westerleigh Group and are grateful for their support. One in three people born in the UK this year will develop dementia in their lifetime.

“Through the money raised, more families than ever will be able to access the life-changing support offered by our Admiral Nurses and Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline.”

Westerleigh Group donates money to a wide range of charities all over the country every year.

The funds are usually raised through the group’s metal recycling scheme in conjunction with colleagues’ fundraising activities.

Metal recycling is a scheme where with the consent of families, metals recovered during cremation are recycled and any funds raised are donated to charity.

Dementia UK will benefit from the scheme via the group’s initial donation of £60,000 which will fund an Admiral Nurse, Stuart Kennedy, on the charity’s free, national Dementia Helpline.

Stuart has worked as a Mental Health Nurse for over 35 years, specialising in dementia for much of his career. He brings insights into diagnosis having run a memory clinic for nine years. He also understands dementia treatments and care, having also been a Nurse Prescriber for 19 years.

Stuart said: “I’m grateful to Westerleigh for funding my role as a Helpline nurse, which will help me continue to deliver support and advice around dementia to those who need it most. I’m passionate about my work and can’t imagine doing anything else.”

The remainder of Westerleigh Group’s £120,000 target will be raised by local fundraising activities led by colleagues working across the group, which includes its network of crematoria across England, Scotland and Wales, head office in Bristol, Distinct Cremations in Cannock and AK Lander based in Basildon.

To find out more about Dementia UK, visit: www.dementiauk.org and to find out more about Westerleigh Group, and the exceptional care it provides, visit www.westerleighgroup.co.uk