There’s a moment many families recognise – the point where confusion turns into something more serious, and suddenly you’re navigating a world you never expected to enter.
For Ruth Langsford, that moment came not once, but twice.
Speaking candidly on the Happy Place podcast with Fearne Cotton, the presenter opened up about supporting both her mother, Joan, and her late father, Dennis, through dementia – and the difference local support made when it mattered most.
“I’m an ambassador for Alzheimer’s Society because they gave us so much help as a family,” she said, in a reflection that will resonate with many across Swindon and the wider South West.
Langsford pointed to the role played by Alzheimer’s Society, particularly its local services, in helping her family cope with the day-to-day realities of the condition. From practical advice to simply having someone who understands, the value of that support is hard to overstate.
It was the introduction to Dementia Cafés that proved especially important. These informal gatherings, run by the charity, offer a space where carers and those living with dementia can meet others facing similar challenges.
“My mum met other partners at the café and then they would chat… you just need people that get it,” she said.
It’s a simple idea, but one that carries weight. For many carers, isolation can be one of the toughest parts of the journey.
Langsford has now spent 17 years as an ambassador for the charity, using her platform to raise awareness and encourage others to seek help early. Her message is straightforward: talking about dementia matters.
“By me talking about it openly… you hope that you just plant these little seeds and people might learn something,” she added.
Closer to home, those same services are available across Swindon and Wiltshire, where families are quietly dealing with similar diagnoses every day. According to Alzheimer’s Society, nearly one million people in the UK are currently living with dementia – a figure that continues to rise.
Cat Medley, the charity’s South West regional manager, said voices like Langsford’s play a crucial role in breaking down stigma.
“A dementia diagnosis can be overwhelming, but no one should face it alone,” she said. “Our local teams are always here to offer practical advice, emotional reassurance and a community of people who understand.”
For families in Swindon, that support can come in many forms – from one-to-one guidance with Dementia Advisers to group sessions and community events like Memory Walks.
And while no service can undo a diagnosis, what they can offer is something just as important: reassurance that help is there, and that no one has to figure it out on their own.
Anyone concerned about dementia or supporting a loved one can contact the Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Support Line on 0333 150 3456.
