Leeds Building Society has launched its new national charity partnership with Dementia UK with an initial donation of £25,000.
The funds will help the charity maintain its services in the short-term and meet the growing demand from the families it supports during the coronavirus pandemic, which is causing increased stress, confusion and isolation.
The £25,000 donation comes as the Society announces a new four-year partnership between Leeds Building Society and Dementia UK, which aims to raise £500,000 to bring emotional and practical support closer to the homes of families.
The charity’s Admiral Nurses work with families to understand their unique situation and provide strategies to help them cope. The nurses work across a range of care settings within the community, care homes, hospitals and hospices, as well as on Dementia UK’s Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline, which is available to anyone with any questions or concerns around dementia.
Leeds Building Society’s colleagues will be supporting Dementia UK through a range of fundraising activity, volunteering and strategic advice during the course of the partnership.
A particular area of focus will be dealing with the financial implications of dementia, a growing concern for those helped by Dementia UK. The partnership will ensure that the charity benefits from the in-depth knowledge and expertise of Leeds Building Society within the financial services sector.
Richard Fearon, CEO of Leeds Building Society, said: “We’re delighted to announce our new four-year partnership with Dementia UK with an initial £25,000 donation, which will help the charity to continue to care for those who need it most during these particularly challenging times.
“However, our partnership will go beyond the current crisis and over the next four years, through our colleagues and members, we’re aiming to raise £500,000 to bring support closer to the homes of families.
“As a building society we’re based on the premise of people helping people, which is exactly what Dementia UK does 365 days of the year through the support it offers to people with dementia and their families.”
Dementia UK will also be supporting Leeds Building Society in developing greater awareness and support around dementia among its colleagues and members. This is of particular importance for the two organisations given the growing number of people affected by the life-limiting condition – over the course of the partnership the number of people affected by dementia in the UK will increase to one million.
Dr Hilda Hayo, CEO and Chief Admiral Nurse at Dementia UK, said: “These are uncertain times, with coronavirus placing increasing pressure on families with dementia; normal support networks have closed down, and friends, neighbours and families can no longer visit.
“Calls to our Helpline have increased significantly during the national crisis and the generous donation of £25,000 from Leeds Building Society will help us reach as many people as possible at this time.
“However in the longer-term, we still need to be working creatively and collaboratively for the thousands of families with dementia. This partnership with Leeds Building Society will allow us to do just that; we are looking forward to seeing what we can achieve over the years ahead.”
