‘She was a beacon for others affected by dementia’ – Alzheimer’s Society Cymru pays tribute to Dame Barbara Windsor

Dame Barbara Windsor, best known for her roles in EastEnders and the Carry On films, has died aged 83 from Alzheimer’s disease.

Dame Barbara, who was diagnosed with the disease in 2014, supported Alzheimer’s Society’s Fix Dementia Care campaign with her husband, Scott Mitchell, and in 2019 she delivered a letter signed by 100,000 people affected by dementia to Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, urging the Government to fix the broken social care system.

Kate Lee, Alzheimer’s Society’s Chief Executive, said:

“Dame Barbara Windsor was an amazingly true, much-loved national treasure, and in speaking out about her experiences she shone like a beacon for others affected by dementia. Our heart goes out to her husband Scott Mitchell and all their family and friends at this very sad time.

“Alzheimer’s Society is incredibly grateful to have had Barbara and her husband Scott’s support – what they achieved over the last couple of years for dementia has been truly awe-inspiring.

“They were absolutely key in helping make Dementia Revolution the most successful Virgin Money London Marathon campaign ever, raising a record-breaking £4 million for the UK Dementia Research Institute that we co-founded, raising far greater awareness of the need to fund research in this area.

“They were also instrumental in highlighting the dire state of social care and the need for change by supporting our Fix Dementia Care campaign, including joining us to visit Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, last year, always driven by their desire to help those desperately struggling to cope with this devastating condition.

“We echo this plea to Government, and, on behalf of the 850,000 people with dementia in the UK we just cannot thank them enough.

“Dementia remains the UK’s biggest killer and sadly, people with dementia have been worst hit by coronavirus, so we’ve never needed help more. We are here to offer support and advice to anyone affected by dementia.”

Bethan Ashford, 29, from Cardiff, lost her mum Sharon to early-onset dementia earlier this year at the age of just 56:

“My grandpa (my mum’s dad) had early onset dementia and passed away in 2002 at the age of 65. Not long after his death, I remember seeing my mum upset and a family member saying to her, ‘Don’t worry, there will be a cure by the time you’re old enough to get it.’

“Sixteen years on, my mum was diagnosed in July 2018 at the age of just 56 with the same condition as her dad.

“My mum didn’t want anyone knowing about her diagnosis at first, including me and my brothers. I think this was just her motherly instinct and a way of protecting us, which she always had done.

“It wasn’t until my mum and dad’s neighbour saw her in the garden one day and asked, ‘No work today?’ To which she replied, ‘No, I’ve got dementia’. That’s when she started to open up.

“It’s incredible that although Dame Barbara was living with this awful disease, she still managed to achieve so many great things. She campaigned for getting better care for people with dementia and raised so much awareness and helped lift the stigma surrounding dementia. She did a huge amount for my mum and I know she’d be incredibly proud of everything Barbara Windsor has done and she was definitely a fan of hers.”

Alzheimer’s Society Cymru is here for anyone affected by dementia through its Dementia Connect support line on 0333 150 3456 (or call our Wales support line on 0300 222 1122). Alzheimer’s Society’s dementia advisors provide information and support on how to stay safe, active and social during this difficult time. Our phone lines are open seven days a week.