A DEMENTIA group set up by a pub landlord for her mum has received "amazing" feedback after being featured on the BBC.
Every month for the past eight years, Sharon Mattin has been hosting the 'Forgotten Regulars' dementia group at the Union Arms pub, on Castle Street in Tyldesley.
The group was started by Sharon after she struggled to find anywhere that offered extra support while she was caring for her mum, and it has since grown to accommodate up to 100 people with dementia and their carers.
Offering people a free meal and entertainment with a live singer, as well as a friendly place to meet and socialise, the landlady has seen the huge difference the group makes for those affected by dementia.
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Sharon said: "We set the group up originally for my mum because we didn't have anywhere to take her, and I know how isolating it can be for people with dementia and their carers.
"We put the singer on because music is great for sparking memories. My mum was completely different when she came here and it was almost like having two mums.
"That is what happens with a lot of people, so we offer this place of togetherness and support for anyone in the same situation."
Although Sharon's mum sadly passed away in 2016, she continued to run the monthly meet-ups as she felt it was the right thing to do.
The landlady also delivered food parcels to the Forgotten Regulars during the pandemic, and after years of work supporting the community, the Union Arms dementia group was filmed for a BBC Breakfast segment last week.
Flooded with "amazing" feedback since the BBC segment, Sharon said: "It's really nice that people are recognising what we are doing, but we don't do it for that. I just see it as something we do to support the community.
"We get to know all the people, and we see them change when they sing and dance and share memories. And we are always there to support the carers and put an arm around them because we know what they have been through.
Grateful for the support of the community and for the opportunity to highlight the impact of dementia, Sharon said she hopes more can be done to offer support to those with the condition as well as their carers.
She added: "I don't think people realise how bad it can be for people with dementia. It starts shutting your brain down and it is a killer.
"It's heartbreaking and it's really tough for carers [...] but if I could do it all again for my mum, I'd do it in a heartbeat."
To help support Sharon and her team of volunteers run the Forgotten Regulars monthly meetings, you can donate to their fundraising page here.
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