Insight 40 - Magazine - Page 6
‘SAY IT WITH A SMILE’ OFFERS PEOPLE LIVING WITH
DEMENTIA, THEIR LOVED ONES AND CARERS A
SUPPORT NETWORK AND LIVELY SOCIAL GATHERINGS
H
annah Say created ‘Say it with a
Smile’ to help people diagnosed
with dementia live as joyfully and
independently as possible. Her vision for
the charity was born of simple listening.
She took time to learn the needs of
carers, families and people living with the
disease.
Her charity is driven by the memory of
one special lady in particular.
June Arnold had already been diagnosed
when she first met the ‘Say it with a Smile’
team. “She was so intelligent, so artistic,
so musical and so talented in so many
ways”, says Hannah.
She started working in this field when she
was 17 years old, always taking the time
to learn the needs of carers, families and
people living with the disease.
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"Supporting June led
me to understand the
condition more, and
to want to fight to
provide the best
community support"
A PROMISE TO JUNE
As June’s Alzheimer’s, which is the most
common form of dementia, progressed,
she encouraged Hannah to follow her
vision and help as many people living with
dementia as possible. The day before she
died, Hannah promised June that she
bIZ4BIZ INSIGHT MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2024
would do everything in her power to grow
‘Say it with a Smile’.
“I am doing this in your name”, Hannah
told her.
“Supporting June led me to understand
the condition more, and to want to fight
to provide the best community support.
Today, ‘Say it with a Smile’ is expanding
faster than I ever imagined and is
reaching hundreds of people living with
this cruel disease, their carers and their
families.”
AWARD-WINNING CHARITY
‘Say it with a Smile’ supports people
diagnosed with dementia and,
importantly, their loved ones in
Watford and the surrounding areas of
Hertfordshire. It was granted charitable