Dementia Support Line
This Dementia Action Week, take on 48 lengths a day and Dive in for Dementia.
Did you know that every day around 480 people in the UK will receive a dementia diagnosis? That’s over 3,000 people every month.
We need you to Dive in for Dementia this May during Dementia Action Week (15 - 21 May 2023). However, and wherever you swim, commit to making every length matter as we vow to help end the devastation caused by dementia.
Sign up for free, set up a fundraising page and grab your goggles! Take part solo, as part of a team, or dive in together with your friends and family. All funds raised through your efforts will support people across the UK living with dementia.
When you join the Dive in for Dementia swimming challenge and raise £100 for Alzheimer's Society, you'll receive a medal in the post. Raise £300 and we'll send you an Alzheimer's Society cotton t-shirt and swim cap to thank you for your support.
How far will you go for dementia?
Join our Swim for Dementia Facebook community and get support and tips from fellow swimmers.
Take part at your local pool, lido or brave the open water. 48 lengths a day in a 25m pool is an impressive 1200m! You'll cover a total distance of 8400m across the week - which is just over 5 miles.
The rules
- It's free to take part and no fundraising target. We'd encourage every participant to aim for £100 and earn their medal.
- Raise £300 to earn your free swim cap and t-shirt.
- Track your distance using your smart watch or device or by simply counting your lengths. You can link your Strava app or Fitbit to your JustGiving fundraising page to keep your friends and family up to date.
- You're responsible for tracking your own lengths.
What your fundraising will support
- £300 means over 1,800 people can access Talking Point, our online forum. Here people can learn from each other experiences, share their frustrations and their knowledge of local services.
- £95 provides a telephone-based Dementia Adviser for a full day. Providing essential support to those affected by dementia.
- £15 turns four ordinary citizens into superhero Dementia Friends! There is a stigma attached to living with dementia and Dementia Friends facilitates societal change, helping people understand the impact on people’s lives.
Why you should join our swimming challenge
- The health benefits – exercise can increase stamina, strength and aerobic fitness. It’s also a fun way to get fit.
- Burn calories – exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight and keep active.
- Take part when and where you want - this challenge is a great way to stay motivated. and keep up your daily exercise. Take part in your local pool, lido or brave the open water.
- Help us beat dementia – The money you raise from this challenge will help fund a range of important services to help people affected by dementia.
FAQs
Contact us about this event
Got a question about this event? Get in touch and we'll respond as soon as we can.
This Dementia Action Week, take on 48 lengths a day and Dive in for Dementia. You can track your distance each day using a smart watch or by counting your lengths.
No – Dive in for Dementia is free to take part!
You can set your own target, we suggest £100.
Everyone who raises £100 will be posted an Alzheimer's Society medal. Raise £300 to receive a swim cap and t-shirt.
You can track your miles however you wish. Use your favourite app or simply count your lengths.
If you use Strava or Fitbit, you can link your account to your JustGiving page to track your activities and share your progress with your supporters. When viewing your page, scroll down to the Fitness Activity box and click Connect with Strava or Connect with Fitbit. See the full instructions for Strava here and for Fitbit here.
Only connect once you're ready to start your challenge as all of your activities will upload to your page. Once setup you can change your settings by clicking Manage Strava/Fitbit Settings found in the same Fitness Activity box on your fundraising page. This will let you pick what information you share on your page.
If you don't use Strava or Fitbit, you'll find a button to Add manual data in the Fitness Activity box, under the Connect with Strava button. You can manually add your activities to keep your supporters updated on your progress and track your total activity.
See JustGiving's help pages here if you're having a problem connecting.
All UK residents who raise £100 or more on their JustGiving fundraising page will receive a special medal in the post to say thank you.
We'll send out one medal per fundraising page setup, if you would like additional medals please get in touch.
You don't need to do anything to claim your medal, we'll pop it in the post. We send out medals in the last week of each month, so your medal should arrive within 4-6 weeks of you hitting the £100 target. If it's been longer than 6 weeks and you haven't heard from us, please pop us an email so we can help to events@alzheimers.org.uk.
Please set up a Just Giving page to fundraise. All income is transferred directly to us. You will be able to share your progress on Facebook and Twitter too.
We will also provide fundraising tips and support throughout your journey. We ask you to get any final donations over to us within a month of completing your challenge.
You can download a sponsorship form here.
We can of course send more copies in the post if you need them - simply email us at events@alzheimers.org.uk to request this.
The money you raise will make a big difference to the lives of many affected by dementia. We fund essential support services for people living with dementia and their carers, as well as funding research to find a cure.
To find out more you can visit our website at www.alzheimers.org.uk.
You can pay offline donations into your fundraising page, you also have the option to collect sponsorship via our sponsorship form or by sending us a cheque. Please view the full list on how to send in your offline donations.
Of course! Join our Facebook group to get chatting.
Prefer Strava? Join the Strava group here.
Download our 8 top swimming tips here.
There are lots of articles and tips on the Swim England website here. If you're looking to try something new with this challenge, it's important to seek advice first.
All UK residents who raise £300+ on their JustGiving page will get a free swim cap and t-shirt.
You don't need to do anything to claim your t-shirt and swim cap, we'll pop it in the post. We send out both in the last week of each month, so they should arrive within 4-6 weeks of you hitting the £300 target. If it's been longer than 6 weeks and you haven't heard from us, please pop us an email so we can help to events@alzheimers.org.uk.
You can purchase an Alzheimer's Society t-shirt from our shop here.
You must be 16 years old or over to sign up for this challenge. If you are under 16 we recommend organising your challenge with a responsible adult, who can sign up and fundraise on your behalf.