We are a small, local, charity set up to support younger people (that is, people of working age) in the West of Berkshire who develop a dementia. We fill a much needed slot between the more formal aspects of care within the NHS, the Social Services and charitable sectors. Younger People With Dementia (Berkshire West) was established as a charity because of a shortage locally of support and practical help to meet the specific needs of people who develop a dementia at an early age, as well as their families. There are seven trustees – four with a background in the NHS and social services, one with an NHS background and also experience of living with a family member who developed an early onset dementia and two who have personal experience of living with a family member who developed an early onset dementia. It is estimated that the incidence of dementia in the under-65 age group is one in every thousand – which, at this time, equates to around 240 people in West Berkshire alone – many of whom are unknown to local service providers. The needs of younger people with dementia and their carers differ greatly from older people as the pattern, progression and burden of illness are all different. The impact of the disease is reflected not only in the sufferer but in family members – husbands, wives, children – whose lives can be severely affected. One of our aims is to increase therapeutic projects within the area. We have set up Harmony Choir which meets on a weekly basis during term time and we now run workshops that include furniture restoration, gardening, a running group, performing arts, dance and water sports. There is also a need for social events where people can meet safe in the knowledge that they are with people who understand their situation. We try and organise such an event on a monthly basis. We also organise occasional dog-walking or orienteering on a Saturday morning. We try to be flexible in how we use our resources, continuing to listen to sufferers and their families, and at the same time not duplicating services which are already provided on a statutory basis. Our longer term aim is to be able to fund a resource which will provide respite care on both a short and longer term basis. Charity Registration Number: 1147290 Website: www.ypwd.info