Fairways Care Homes Across North Wales Celebrated Dementia Action Week 2026

Dementia Action Week is the UK’s biggest awareness campaign for dementia, led by Alzheimer’s Society. This year, it ran from 18 to 24 May 2026, and every one of our Fairways Care homes in North Wales took part, with activities celebrating the people at the heart of everything we do.

From live orchestral performances in Llandudno to alpaca visits in Bangor, intergenerational baking on Anglesey and memory trees in Wrexham, our teams poured their hearts into a week of connection, joy and purpose. It was about showing what person-centred dementia care looks like in practice, every single day across our homes in North Wales.

For every like on our social media posts, we donated £1 to Alzheimer’s Society. For every share, we donated £2. Because action, not just words, is what makes the difference.

Fairways Newydd, Anglesey

Dorothy and Keith’s Story

At the heart of Dementia Action Week is a simple truth. Behind every person living with dementia is a lifetime of stories worth knowing.

At Fairways Newydd, our specialist dementia and nursing care home in Llanfairpwll, Anglesey, residents Dorothy and Keith reminded us of this beautifully. The couple met on a dance floor in Plymouth in May 1959. Keith was a Royal Marine who played the oboe in the Band. Dorothy was a teacher. By September that year, they were married.

Keith went on to serve with the Royal Marines Band in Nigeria for the country’s independence in 1960. He later became a music teacher, sharing his love of piano and oboe with a new generation. Dorothy spent her spare time knitting hats and blankets for premature babies and poppies for Remembrance. Together, they raised two daughters and became proud grandparents to four grandsons.

Today, Dorothy and Keith live side by side at Fairways Newydd. They have been part of our family since March 2023. Their story is a reminder that knowing a resident’s life story allows our team to deliver truly personal, meaningful care.

Generations Coming Together

There is something truly special about different generations sharing time, and this was on full display during Dementia Action Week at Fairways Newydd.

Children from Llanfairpwll Primary School visited the home for an afternoon of cupcake decorating, laughter and shared memories. The visit ended on a heartwarming note as the children sang for our residents before heading back to school, bringing smiles to everyone in the room.

Intergenerational activities like these are not just enjoyable. They are proven to support wellbeing, reduce feelings of isolation and encourage communication for people living with dementia. At Fairways Newydd, building strong community relationships remains at the heart of what we do.

Ceris Newydd and Glyn Menai, Bangor

Alpacas, Bake Sales and Connection

In Bangor, residents at Ceris Newydd and Glyn Menai welcomed two very special visitors during Dementia Action Week: a pair of incredibly gentle alpacas.

From outdoor visits in the sunshine to quiet one-to-one moments inside the home, residents enjoyed feeding, stroking and chatting to the alpacas. For people living with dementia, animal-assisted activities like these provide sensory stimulation, encourage communication and create a calm, joyful atmosphere that stays with residents long after the day is done.

The team also hosted a Dementia Action Week bake sale and coffee morning, raising £95 for Dementia UK. This is community spirit in action, and it is exactly what person-centred care looks like at Ceris Newydd and Glyn Menai.

The Power of Music for Dementia Care in Bangor

Music has a unique way of reaching people, even when words cannot. At Ceris Newydd and Glyn Menai, residents, families and staff came together for a lively 1960s disco and karaoke party during Dementia Action Week.

Everyone got into the spirit by dressing up in fantastic 60s attire, filling the home with colour, nostalgia and energy. Together, they sang their hearts out to classic hits and danced the afternoon away.

Studies show that music engages multiple brain regions at once, including those linked to memory, emotion and movement. Brain imaging has revealed that listening to familiar or meaningful music can strengthen neural connections, particularly in areas that support memory and attention. At Fairways Care, music-based activities are an integral part of our person-centred approach across all our dementia and nursing care settings.

The week also closed with a dementia awareness session for family members, raising understanding of how dementia impacts people. A memory tree invited families to share treasured memories of their loved ones, creating something truly special for the whole home to read and reflect on.

Eryl Fryn, Llandudno

Orchestral Beauty and Musical Memories

At Eryl Fryn, our dementia and nursing care home in Llandudno, Dementia Action Week began with a truly moving visit from Sinfonia Cymru, Wales’ orchestra of young professional talent.

For those living with dementia, moments like these are incredibly powerful. Music unlocks memories, encourages communication and brings comfort that stays long after the final note is played.

The week continued with a nostalgic music quiz featuring classic hits from the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Residents sang along to favourite songs, shared stories sparked by familiar tunes, and the atmosphere was filled with warmth and laughter. A “Remember When?” and “Which Came First?” quiz encouraged residents to reminisce about treasured moments from years gone by.

Residents also enjoyed a creative afternoon with picture bingo, using vintage images instead of numbers to spark recognition and conversation. A calm, therapeutic painting session followed, where everyone picked up their brushes to paint forget-me-not flowers, a fitting symbol for Dementia Action Week.

At Eryl Fryn, meaningful activities like music therapy, reminiscence sessions and social engagement play an important role in supporting wellbeing, connection and person-centred dementia care. Because sometimes, one familiar song can unlock a lifetime of memories.

Stansty House, Wrexham

Life Before and Beyond Dementia

This Dementia Action Week, we are proud to share Elizabeth’s story from Stansty House in Wrexham. It is a powerful reminder that dementia never defines the whole person.

Liz worked in the office of a timber mill, a job she truly loved. She remembers the friendships, the laughter shared with colleagues, and the moments that made life meaningful. Outside of work, Liz loved sewing, baking, swimming, holidays, and spending time with family. She married her husband on 12th September 1970 at Wem Parish Church, a memory she still holds close to her heart.

 Merton Place, Colwyn Bay 

A Tea Party in the Sunshine

At Merton Place, residents finished Dementia Action Week with a tea party in the sunshine. Before the celebration, residents worked together to create lovely decorations, bringing colour and creativity to the home.

Simple, joyful moments like these are at the heart of what we do at Fairways Care. A shared cup of tea, a bit of sunshine, and the company of people who genuinely care. That is what makes our homes warm and safe.

Why Dementia Action Week Matters to Fairways Care

Dementia Action Week is not just one week a year for us. It is a reflection of what we do every single day across all six of our Fairways Care homes in North Wales.

We believe that every person living with dementia deserves care that sees them as a whole person, with a rich history, meaningful relationships and a voice that matters. Our approach is built on knowing each resident’s life story, their passions, their memories and the things that bring them comfort and joy.

From Anglesey to Bangor, Llandudno to Wrexham, our teams are dedicated to creating environments where residents feel safe, valued and connected. Whether through music therapy, animal-assisted activities, intergenerational visits or simply sitting together over a cup of tea, we are committed to making every day meaningful.