A tram journey with a difference really was a trip down memory lane for people living with dementia and their carers.

We organised a heritage tram with support from Blackpool Transport, which set off from Pleasure Beach for a journey into the past with music and songs from days gone by. As passengers embarked, they were treated to music from the Thornton Cleveleys Brass Band before their ride to Bispham and back, complete with a fish and chips lunch.

The trip marked Dementia Action Week in Blackpool, and was an opportunity for people living with dementia to learn more about the local services and support available.

It was followed on Friday by a garden party in our new allotment at the HASSRA Sports Pavilion in Thornton, where local services were able to provide more information on the support they offer.

Dementia Action Week this year was focused on diagnosis, with diagnosis rates being recorded as down by a fifth on the previous five years.

It can take up to two years before people attended their GPs with early symptoms, so we are encouraging all those across the Fylde coast with early concerns to have the investigations. We have a high population with a low number of residents on our Dementia registers.

This week for us at Trinity Hospice and Dementia UK is all about highlighting local support to all people living with dementia, from early symptoms and diagnosis to the later stages of the living with the condition.

Here on the Fylde coast, we also wanted to celebrate the important work being done to create a dementia friendlier community, and I truly believe that by working together with our local partners that we did just that.

It was just wonderful seeing the smiles on people’s faces as they sung and danced along with the brass band, before reminiscing about their earlier days as we travelled along Blackpool Promenade.

The sea-front is absolutely steeped in local history, and everyone had a tale to tell and a memory to share. It was beautiful.

A huge thank you to Blackpool Transport, Blackpool Council, Thornton Cleveleys Brass Band and Harry Ramsdens for their support in organising the event and on the day.

Dementia Action Week which also saw a brand new Dementia Café opening at Freckleton Library.

Everything about the week was incredible and truly showcased the incredible support we are able to offer people living with dementia across the Fylde coast.

It was wonderful to see so many people, organisations and services coming together at the garden party in a celebration of everything on offer in Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre.

For more information about dementia support across the Fylde coast, click here.