Linda has been involved in dementia charities since 1986, both as a volunteer and paid member of staff. She was instrumental in setting up the Barnsley branch of the Alzheimer’s Society as well as BIADS and won the first Proud of Barnsley exceptional achievement award in 2012 for this work. Linda became involved not long after her mum was diagnosed with dementia in 1983 and cared for her mum for 12 years until she passed in 1995.
It was a massive leap of faith to become involved with BIADS but the gamble paid off and the way the organisation has developed has exceeded any dreams Linda had back in 2009. Never one to sit back she and her team of staff and volunteers constantly look for new ways of supporting people affected by dementia and never will. Linda loves to see people with dementia and their carers taking part in services and seeing them have a great time. She says some people may have dementia but they still know how to have fun and a good laugh. In the few hours Linda has a private life she loves watching rubbish on TV, reading, eating out, chocolate, sleeping and her dog, Harvey.
