Author: Helen Green

HYDE HEATH 29 May 2026 – Local MP Greg Smith recently visited Dementia Carers Respite in Hyde Heath to learn more about the charity’s work supporting family carers of people living with dementia across the local community.

During the visit, Charity Chairman Walid Marzouk introduced the organisation and explained its services, highlighting the growing demand for the free respite care it provides. He spoke about the devastating impact dementia has on both those diagnosed and their families, noting that Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia remain the leading cause of death in the UK.

“Dementia is a heartbreaking disease that slowly steals memories, personality and independence,” said Mr Marzouk. “Behind every person living with dementia is often a family carer carrying an enormous emotional and physical burden.”

The charity explained that many carers experience isolation, exhaustion and declining physical and mental health as a result of their caring responsibilities. Dementia Carers Respite helps address these challenges by providing professional respite care free of charge, giving carers valuable time to rest, recover and attend to their own needs.

During discussions, it was clear that Mr Smith had a good understanding of dementia and the healthcare and social services surrounding the issue.

Charity representatives highlighted areas where additional support from healthcare services and local councils could improve outcomes for people living with dementia and their families.

Mr Smith listened to the concerns raised and expressed interest in supporting initiatives that improve the lives of local dementia carers. The visit also provided an opportunity to discuss how local and national services can work together to meet the increasing demand for respite care and support families affected by dementia.

At the end of the meeting Mr Smith was invited to the charity’s 6th of August golf & Dinner event at Harewood Downs and he accepted.

As much as we love our home base, we’re always keen to spread our wings beyond Chesham and Amersham. This month, we attended the Hyde Heath Village Fete on Saturday 9th May, and we’re planning to be at Hazlemere, Aylesbury, and The Chalfont's if time allows.
We had a wonderful team of 12 volunteers taking turns on stand duty, each spending an hour or two talking to visitors and enjoying a beautifully sunny day. A huge thank you to everyone who helped make it such a success.
Among the many visitors, we spoke to two family carers for people living with dementia who we may be able to support, as well as a senior member of the Chiltern Society and a neighbour who happens to be a member of the Amersham Rotary Club — opening the door to possibly presenting our charity to their group.
The highlight for me was a young girl, about seven years old, who came to our stand with her dad and her own credit card to make a donation. Amazingly, she already knew something about dementia thanks to a school programme, and wanted to help. She was an absolute delight — and her dad was so proud of her, as anyone would be.
We also had the chance to chat with members of the Little Missenden Parish Council, including the Clerk and Chair, which brought back fond memories of my days as Councillor for Holmer Green and later Little Kingshill. On a more serious note, they mentioned that the council is currently seeking new councillors for Hyde Heath. Being a councillor isn’t for the faint-hearted, but it’s incredibly rewarding — serving your community is a badge you wear with pride. If you’re interested, why not get in touch with them by calling 01494 715429
or emailing clerk@littlemissendenparish.gov.uk
Also, remember charity start at home so if you live withy 15 miles of Amersham and have a couple of hours to spare from time to help us at selected events, please contact Sue by email s.luxton@dementia-respite.org.uk
All in all, it was a wonderful and successful day in Hyde Heath!

As the 2026 Grand National approaches, last year’s winning horse, Nick Rockett, carries a quiet connection to our charity, Dementia Carers Respite.

Nick Rockett belongs to Stewart Andrew, who supports our charity because of his own experience of caring. He and his sister cared for their father, who was living with Lewy Body dementia.

“At the start, you just get on with it,” he says. “I’d go in early, make sure he was up, cook his breakfast, get him sorted for the day. My sister would go in later. You just build it into your life.” What begins as something manageable gradually becomes something much bigger. “It’s every day. And then it’s nights as well. He’d ring at all hours, confused about the time, thinking he hadn’t eaten. You can’t switch off from it.”

There are moments that stay with you. “I remember knocking on the door one morning and he didn’t know who I was. That’s when you realise you’ve lost them to the illness.” From that point on, everything changes. “You’re doing it out of love, because they’re your parent. But it becomes a one-way thing. There’s nothing coming back.”

It is something, he says, that is very hard to explain to anyone who hasn’t been through it. “Unless you’ve lived it, you don’t really understand what it takes. It drains the life out of you, not just physically, but mentally as well.”

And yet, even in the hardest moments, there are flashes of something lighter. His father had always been a smart man, always wearing a shirt and tie. “Then I’d go in and he’d have two shirts on and two ties on. You have to laugh. Those moments … they get you through.”

For Stewart, one key thing those years taught him is that breaks make a world of difference. “On a weekend, he’d sometimes go and stay with a lady friend, and that gave us a bit of respite. You could recharge. Without that, you’d be wrecked. You can’t do it 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

That understanding is what led him to support Dementia Carers Respite. “There are a lot of dementia charities, but this one really struck me because it’s practical. It’s about giving carers a bit of time back and that’s what people need.”

Through his involvement in racing, Stewart has found a way to raise awareness as well as provide financial support. His horse carries Dementia Carers Respite branding at races throughout the year, helping to bring the charity into wider public view. “I just thought, if I can use what I’ve got to get the name out there, then why not?”

For Stewart, the impact of his experience goes beyond the charity itself. It has changed how he sees the world: “Years ago, if I saw an old person stood in the middle of the road, I’d be blowing the horn and saying, ‘come on, get out of the way.’ Now I wouldn’t. I’d stop and I’d get out of the car. You realise what might be going on.”

For families caring for someone with dementia, the need for support is not complicated. “It’s as plain as the nose on your face,” he says. “People just need a bit of help to keep going.”

One in three people born today will develop dementia in their lifetime.
Across the UK, almost one million people are currently living with dementia — a number expected to rise to 1.4 million by 2040. That means around six million family members will be directly impacted by this cruel disease, which affects not only memory and cognition but also emotional , mental and physical wellbeing.
While many dementia charities do vital work, Dementia Carers Respite focuses on a unique and often overlooked need — giving family carers a much-needed break. We fund professional, dementia-trained carers to provide respite at home for families who receive no support through Continuing Health Care or local authority services, and who cannot afford private care costing up to £35–£40 per hour or £1,500 per week.
For the majority of dementia carers, life is a 24/7 responsibility. They give everything — physically and emotionally — to support their loved one. Our mission is to give them something simple but powerful: time to rest, recover, and recharge.
A Charity Growing with Purpose
In just over two full years of operation, Dementia Carers Respite has achieved remarkable recognition.
In March 2024, we were honoured to attend the Dementia Mission Reception at
10 Downing Street, followed by being named Charity of the Year by The Chiltern Hospital , and Nationwide in April and June 2025.
Now, we are proud to announce our next step — a new partnership with Fergal O’Brien Racing.
A Partnership Built on Compassion and Community
“We’re incredibly grateful to Fergal and everyone at Fergal O’Brien Racing for their support”
said Walid Marzouk Founder and Chairman of Dementia Carers Respite. “We’ve seen firsthand how passionate they are about helping others, and we know this partnership will bring more much-needed attention and support to family carers.”
Fergal O’Brien and his team have long been advocates for mental wellbeing within the racing community — an industry known for its camaraderie, compassion, and resilience.
“Caring for those who care is something that resonates deeply with all of us,” said Fergal O’Brien. “We’re proud to stand alongside Dementia Carers Respite in helping families who give so much of themselves every day.”
With shared values and a shared commitment to supporting mental and emotional wellbeing, this partnership marks the start of an exciting new chapter.
Together, we aim to raise awareness, expand our reach, and provide real relief to more families silently struggling to care for loved ones living with dementia.
Founder & Chairman
Walid Marzouk

To learn more about us
www.dementia-respite.org.uk https://www.facebook.com/DementiaCarersRespite/
https://www.instagram.com/dementiacarersrespite/ linkedin.com/company/dementia-carers-respite
To learn about Fergal O’Brien Racing
https://www.fergalobrienracing.co.uk; https://x.com/FOBRacing; admin@fergalobrienracing.com

Dementia Carers Respite - Charity Registration Number: 1202451 - Charity Commission. England