Kathryn Smith, who is a member of our
Private Client department and based in Keynsham, will be supporting Keynsham's Dementia Action Alliance by providing information and answering questions following performances of a nationally acclaimed play entitled 'Don't Leave Me Now', which is being brought to Keynsham to help Dementia Action Alliance (DAA) bring a better understanding of dementia and how it affects families and those living with dementia to the local community.
Chairman of the DAA Alan Hale explains "I saw this play performed at a dementia event at Dorothy House and found it to be very powerful and educational as well as entertaining. We just had to bring it to Keynsham and I am thankful to our sponsors Barchester Healthcare & B&NES WCI Fund in enabling us to put it on."
The DAA's press release gives further details:
'Don't Leave Me Now' is endorsed by all major Dementia charities including Dementia UK, The Alzheimers Society, Dementia Pathfinders, Cruse Bereavement Care and Hospice UK.
With a cast of six, the performance is a read play and in the hands of professional actors all of the emotion, anger, frustration and challenges of dementia come to the surface throughout.
Written by Brian Daniels and inspired by two real stories, it explores with insight and humour the impact of early on set dementia on family life. Brian Daniels is an established and award winning playwright and theatre practitioner with many plays to his name.
Howard Jacobson, the Booker Prize winning author (New Statesman 2016) said of the play "The play is subtly powerful, sympathetic and sharp, sad and funny....where dementia is the villain, words are priceless."
The play will be performed twice on January 10th 2018 at Keynsham Baptist Church, 2.30pm and 7.30pm, after the 75 minute performance there will be a facilitated question and answer discussion so that the audience can explore any points or issues that the play has raised in their mind.
Following the discussion at each performance Kathryn Smith from FDC Law (High Street, Keynsham) will be in attendance to give a briefing and advice to the audience about Powers of Attorney, their benefits and how to set them up.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for the community to be enlightened as to the way dementia can affect lives" continued Alan Hale, "it is a terrible disease but it is not the end of life, just a change for that person and their loved ones and we hope that we can encourage everyone to help us make Keynsham and Saltford Dementia Friendly, please take this opportunity to learn more."
There is no admission cost, all are welcome and tea, coffee and biscuits will be available for free from 2pm and 7pm respectively.
The performances are sponsored by Barchester Healthcare, owners of Kingfisher Lodge at Saltford and other nursing homes nationally and the evening event is sponsored by the B&NES WCI fund.
Kathryn explains "Many of us are reluctant to think about the possibility we may become unable to deal with our own affairs, and it's easy to put off planning for the possibility. However, planning ahead can make life much easier and ensure that your wishes are followed, even if you do become too ill to make choices for yourself. I hope that the opportunity to ask questions afterwards, will help to de-mystify some if the issues around powers of attorney and will encourage people to think about planning for the future, in case they need them." she added "for any one not able to make it to the play, my colleagues and I are also happy to arrange to met with anyone needing further advice or inormation or wishing to arange a power of attorney."
If you are interested in setting up powers of attorney,or simply have further questions,
Kathryn and
Agnieszka are offering free initial half hour meetings, at the Keynsham office, during January. Pelase mention this post or the 'Don't Leave Mee Now' play when making your appointment.
