TELEVISION star Michelle Collins has been appointed as an Ambassador for a dementia project being led by an Irish charity in London.
The actress and presenter, who has been in the business for more than three decades, has starred in the likes of Coronation Street and EastEnders as well Dr Who, Real Women and Casualty.
She is now lending her support to the Ashford Place organisation in Cricklewood, north London as an Ambassador for their Dementia Friendly Brent initiative.
The star, whose stage credits include Calendar Girls, The Vagina Monologues and Never Forget, said of her role: “Dementia is touching the lives of almost everyone I know at the moment. The work Ashford Place is doing by normalising the lives and supporting those living with and supporting those with dementia is exemplary.
“I am looking forward to giving my support to this amazing organisation".
Led by Irishman Danny Maher, Ashford Place provides practical, peer-driven support to some of the most vulnerable people across London.
They offer services to people suffering with mental health, dementia, loneliness and homelessness, many of whom are Irish.
The success of the organisation’s dementia services saw it establish its own Dementia Café in 2017.
It was the first of 16 cafes they have created since then – cafes which provide people living with memory loss and their carers to support each other, socialise and to find information and advice to help them to manage their condition.
A spokesperson for the charity explained: “In these unprecedented times it is vital that we have the support of people like Michelle to help our clients not only with their diagnosis of dementia but also with the fear that Coronavirus brings to us all.”
Ashford Place CEO Danny Maher added: “We are delighted that Michelle has agreed to support our important work to raise awareness of dementia across all sections of the community and to help people living with memory loss to be part of their community with as much independence as they are comfortable with, and for as long as they are able."
Since the government-imposed lockdown amidst the coronavirus pandemic Ashford Place has closed its centre and face to face services until further notice. It is available to service users via [email protected] and telephone on 020 82088590. For further information visit www.ashfordplace.org.uk
