Parent organisation of Community Links, Foundation and Bridging the Gap

Inspire North launches first-of-kind recipe book for people with dementia

The first recipe book of its kind tailored to and developed by people living with dementia, their families and carers is launched in Leeds this week.

Eating Well with Dementia has been developed by Young Dementia Leeds, a community service which supports people living with the condition. The book, which is launched at a special event in Leeds on Thursday September 16, offers nutritional and practical advice approved by a registered dietician, alongside recipes that have been fully tested and approved by clients, carers and their families.

Liz Menacer, service manager at Young Dementia Leeds, said: “Eating well and maintaining good nutrition can be a real challenge for people living with dementia, as well as for their families and carers. But food can be a great way to bring back positive memories inspired by touch, taste and smell. Eating Well with Dementia offers a wide variety of recipes that are easy to cook and delicious to eat – from finger foods to classic favourites.”

Chef, restaurateur and tv personality Brian Turner CBE has contributed a recipe for white chocolate and raspberry trifle to the book.

He said: “Eating well is about keeping healthy, but also about enjoyment and well-being. This is a fantastic and valuable collection of recipes and advice for people living with dementia, and those supporting them.”

One of the contributors to the book, and also the cover star, is Diana Smith-Harris, who volunteers with Young Dementia Leeds. Diana’s husband Eugene sadly died from dementia at the age of 68. An upholsterer by profession, Eugene was also a steel pan player and played in the Chapeltown Carnival in Leeds.

Diana said: “I got involved with Young Dementia Leeds because my husband got diagnosed with early onset dementia in 2016, but I had known for a while that he was deteriorating. So we both started to attend the Young Dementia Leeds Hub. You need to be able to meet people going through the same thing as you. We’re all in the same boat so we support each other, and as new people come along, we support them too.”

Young Dementia Leeds is a service of the Inspire North Group, a charity which provides services in relation to mental health, well-being, housing and domestic abuse across the North of England.

Inspire North CEO Ruth Kettle said: “This book is an outstanding and valuable piece of work that should be a great help to people living with dementia, and their loved ones. I am so proud of our Young Dementia Leeds team who are always determined to go above and beyond providing our high-quality services, to ensure that the lives of our clients and their families are enhanced, and we are delighted to share their expertise for the benefit of a wider audience.”

Eating Well with Dementia will be available from Amazon from next week, or can be purchased by contacting Young Dementia Leeds on 07391868726.

For further information please contact PR consultant to Inspire North Alex Mason (alex@alexdmasonpr.com/07983726119)