My Time talks to Jersey Alzheimers Associations new full-time educator, Michala Graham, about her work
‘WITH increased awareness and further understanding, local people can better support those living with dementia.’
This is the mission statement of the Jersey Alzheimer’s Association.
Founded in 2010, the local charity has gone from strength to strength in recent years, with its recently opened headquarters in Hilgrove Street offering Islanders expert advice about this oft-misunderstood illness.
Key to the organisation’s success is Michala Graham, the charity’s newly appointed full-time educator.
To donate to Jersey Alzheimers Association or for more information, click here or visit the associations headquarters in Hilgrove Street (telephone 723519)
Jersey born and raised, Michala first began working with the organisation in February, an appointment which, she says, left her ‘absolutely thrilled’.
‘The most important aspect of my job is to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s and dementia,’ she said, ‘and to work towards creating a dementia-friendly community.
‘That, to me, is my biggest role: to get out into the community, spread the word and put an end to the stigma that is still too often attached to dementia.’
Michala has already delivered talks and workshops across the Island, most recently to staff at Jersey Library as part of the library’s Reading Well Books on Prescription programme.
‘I’ve also spoken to professional carers and local home-care agencies,’ she says.
‘I’ll speak to anyone and everyone really, so long as it helps to raise awareness.’
Educational initiatives will also be taking place in the Island’s schools in September, which will involve Michala temporarily returning to her former profession.
‘I spent a decade in teaching,’ she says. ‘I taught PE, first at Hautlieu, which is where I went as a teenager, and then I moved to Beaulieu in 2001 to work as head of PE.’
In addition, Michala spent seven years teaching level 3 health and social care. Then she started to get itchy feet.
‘I really enjoy teaching but eventually I decided that the time had come to try something different.’
And so, in the summer of 2014, she handed in her notice, despite having no alternative career lined up.
‘I know it sounds cheesy, but I was inspired by a quote,’ she said with a laugh.
‘It was, “You cannot swim for new horizons until you have the courage to leave the shore”. I can’t remember where I saw it, but it inspired me to take a risk.’
Fortunately for the mother of two it wasn’t long before she joined the Jersey Alzheimer’s Association team.
It is a charity for which Michala has nothing but praise.
‘It is an absolutely vital organisation,’ she says. ‘The work we do here is essential to so many lives.’
At present there are an estimated 1,400 people in Jersey living with dementia.
And, as Michala says, it’s not only those who have dementia who are affected, but also their friends and family members. It’s such a far-reaching illness.
It is also, she says, an illness that is all too often misunderstood.
‘A popular misconception is that dementia is an illness in and of itself,’ she says, ‘whereas it is actually just an umbrella term for the many different conditions that can affect the brain.’
One of the key points Michala and her colleagues try to get across is that it is possible for people with dementia to maintain a decent quality of life, as long as they have access to the right services and support.
‘The first thing to do is to get people talking about it,’ said Michala.
‘That’s the key to raising awareness.
‘Also, we need to stop referring to people with dementia as sufferers – or worse, as victims – and instead start seeing the person as a person rather than defining them by their condition.’
A recent visit to the annual Alzheimer’s Show at London Olympia offered further inspiration for Michala as to the type of service she hopes to offer Islanders.
‘The Alzheimer’s Show is the leading dementia exhibition in the UK,’ she said.
‘It is aimed at providing families and professional carers with the best possible information, services and practical help and offers people the opportunity to question experts and take part in workshops.’
Michala says that anyone visiting the Jersey Alzheimer’s Association is guaranteed a warm welcome and that in-depth leaflets and research-based information are available, as well as a sympathetic ear and friendly advice.
‘And with us, everything is free,’ she adds. ‘So if you want our help, just turn up.’
Jersey Alzheimer’s Association is almost entirely funded by local donations.
It receives an annual grant of £14,500 from Health and Social Services Department, but otherwise relies on contributions and fundraising from the public.
