A SPECIAL event was held recently to celebrate the birthday of the Dementia Engagement and Empowerment Programme (DEEP) network at Plas Tan-y-Bwlch, Maentwrog.

DEEP, which stands for Dementia Engagement and Empowerment Programme, was celebrating its 10th birthday this year, and activities were organised jointly by DEEP Caban of Bangor University and Like Minded of Mold.

Approximately 80 guests from across the UK, with personal experience of dementia, were invited to the event.

A busy schedule had been arranged, with presentations by three DEEP groups of North Wales, a discussion panel, and various workshops – which included art, poetry, dance and a walk.

There was also musical entertainment provided by the local musician Gai Toms to round off the evening.

North Wales Chronicle:

One person living with dementia said during the peer support discussion activity: “I’m actually having the best time of my life because of the support I receive from my contemporaries, people living with dementia - who are going through the same experience me.”

Emma Quaeck, from Dementia Actif Gwynedd, an organisation in the Adults, Health and Wellbeing of Gwynedd Council, noted: “What has been achieved over the last ten years to help develop the service for people living with Dementia in Gwynedd has given us hope as to what can be achieved in the next ten years.

“It was an honour to be able to hold this special event and a pleasure to see so many people that had been affected by dementia coming together in a leisurely, honest and positive way.

“As a team, we learnt a lot by listening to what people had to say, and it was truly inspiring.

“People loved the venue, and we did our best to ensure that the event was Dementia Friendly and that the visitors were able to enjoy experiencing a little Welsh culture.

“Hopefully we can all meet again in ten years to celebrate more success!”

MORE: Anglesey football club’s goal to prevent anti-social behaviour