1. My Story On Becoming A Purple Angel Ambassador
In 2007 Norman McNamara at the age of 50 years old was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia. Known
as Norm by his friends and colleagues wanted to help others with Dementia, over the years Norm has
met with David Cameron and visited 10 Downing Street raising Dementia Awareness. Norm continues to
raise awareness all over the globe.
How did I become one and why?
My mum was diagnosed at the age of 72 years old with Vascular Dementia, after suffering two strokes
the second one causing bleeding between the skull and the brain. To remove this mum was transferred
to Preston Hospital and had a tube placed in the head to remove the blood. It was touch and go as to
whether mum would make it. She was hospitalized for four months, upon returning home we were
unaware of the affect this had on my mum until she became agitated and abrupt in her language also
believing her son Kenneth was still alive (he passed away in 1998). It wasn’t until we spoke with the
stroke association and was then informed mum has vascular dementia. I looked after my mum for
almost a year until she became incontinent and suicidal, she is also a type 1 diabetic and it was always
hard to keep under control. It was advised by Doctors that my mum be placed in a Nursing home as she
needed 24/7 care and was also high risk of falling. This broke the family’s heart as we never dreamed my
mum would never be the same again.
So it became my passion and dream to be my mum’s voice and
everyone else who suffers from this life threatening disease and to
spread and educate the Society about Dementia. July 2014, I emailed
Norman McNamara in regards to becoming a Purple Angel Ambassador
and what did I have to do to become one? I had to write as to why I
thought I would be the perfect Purple Angel Ambassador, I told them
how I had looked after my mum and that I have a passion to educate
society. Great news I was accepted as a Purple Angel Ambassador. After
that I was on a mission to educate all businesses in my area and beyond.
Last year on November 15th, 2013 Norm with the help of a friend and
his wife Elaine, whom is his Angel created the Purple Angel Logo and
this is when Purple Angel Ambassadors were generated by people who
have a family member, loved one or a Carer to become a Purple Angel
Ambassador and help Norm by spreading the word in businesses across
the globe. As of today there are 230 Purple Angel Ambassadors
worldwide, and I am proud to say I am one too.

2. How Do Businesses get involved?
Norm designed A Gide to Understanding Dementia within a business; this helps businesses understand a
person who enters their business, whether it is money handling, checkout, spatial awareness, etc.. I
introduce myself and explain we are not a Charity nor asking for money. I try to speak with a manager or
owner in regards to their business becoming a Purple Angel Supporter. After introducing myself and
show them the package and explain each paper and what it can do to aid the staff in assisting a person
with Dementia.
Sometimes during our converation they inform me that they have a family member or know someone
who suffers from this life threatening disease or has passed away. I listen to them and thank them for
sharing with me. I inform them I will return in two weeks and award their business with a window decal
and with their permission I take photo’s to place on Creating A Dementia Community Facebook page.
After two weeks I return and ask them if they had chance to read and if they have any questions? Most
of them understood and were very impressed with the package and will definetley use in their business.
I congratulate them and thank them for becong a Supporter of Raising Dementia Awareness in their
business. The manager/owner then palces the decal on their window or door .
Alice’s Tearooms was
my first Business to
Support Dementia
Awareness on August
15th
, 2014

3. My Outcome so far:
For the past six weeks usually on a Thursday only, I visit businesses and as of today I have over 120
businesses who have become Purple Angel Supporters and I will continue until I have fulfilled my
passion and dream for all businesses to be educated and all be Dementia Aware. These vary from
Medical Practices, Funeral Directors, Restaurants, Pubs, Chemists, Bakeries, Cafes, Hairdressers/ Barber
Shops, Post Offices, Department Shops and other businesses. Many of these businesses have liked the
package as they can take it home, have a tea break and read at their leisure, it is also good for new staff
and or volunteers to read as well and it absorbs faster than attending a session. Some businesses have
asked me to return and talk with the staff and come up with scenarios they may happen within their
business.
I am neither a Doctor nor an expert on Dementia, just a person whom has a passion and dream of
educating society. Being a Purple Angel Ambassador and visiting businesses I wrote on a poem called
Purple Angel.
I would like to thank all of you for reading my story and I hope you enjoyed it as much as I have writing
it. God Bless all of you and your loved ones or someone you care for who may suffer or have suffed
from this awful life threatening disease.
Written By Julie G. Jones
September 12th
, 2014