COME AND MEET JUNE & BRIAN HENNELL

Stars of stage, screen, BBC Radio Bristol & Glos, not to mention The Citizen, Echo & Western Daily Press !

BRIAN HENNELL
Born in London, Brian’s love affair with the countryside in general and animals in particular started in 1941 at the age of 3 when his family relocated to Somerset. He married June in 1968 had three sons and a career as a middle manager for central government. As their sons became independent, their family home in Bristol seemed very large ! So started a special time in Brian’s life. In 1990, following a severe road accident, Brian became a house husband and together, from 1992 - 2009, they hosted 515 non UK guests from 42 countries. Strong mutual respect and understanding developed and now, despite Brian’s diagnosis of Frontal Temporal Dementia on 04.02.09, many of those guests worldwide continue to invite Brian & June to visit their homes. Last year South Africa and India topped the agenda. In 2011 they will achieve their ambition of staying with friends in Hong Kong, Australia, Bangkok and Chiangmai. Brian still enjoys the stimulation of socialising with their huge circle of friends, walking his beloved Jack and sharing with June their Dementia Adventure. Rural Gloucestershire is now home, close to two of their sons & their families. Life has indeed come full circle ! Brian dictates that dementia must take its’ place, not take over his life.

JUNE HENNELL
Born in Somerset in 1945, June retired from her role with the Centre of Excellence in Employment Law in 1996 as an experienced adjudicator in conflict resolution. She feels that this may have helped her to recognise and handle the challenges which dementia has brought to her husband Brian’s life and skill her to give much back to society in the form of voluntary help. June :-
· inspired the concept of and helped produce The Living Well Handbook for NHS Glos;
· has written and delivered with Brian presentations on dementia to a wide range of audiences;
· is a surgery-link for Carers’ Glos;
· mentors other carers
· is on the steering committee of a Young Persons with Dementia Group
· has contributed written material to books soon to be published
· delivered with Brian a Talking Heads presentation for NHS Worcs as part of a dementia training package;
· in pursuit of spreading the message that early diagnosis may be key to living better with dementia, has given many press articles and radio interviews;
· in London on 23.02.11, saw the launch of research DVDS made at June & Brian’s home and these may be viewed by selecting both the research button and the news button on www.dementiaadventure.co.uk.
· another DVD can be seen by clicking on Participation in Dementia Planning on www.scie.org.uk/socialcaretv