Andrew Morgan-Watts

Andrew is a founding member of the FODDAA. Born in 1949 Andrew lived with his mum dad & two elder sisters until he was almost 16 when he passed the entry exam and Joined The Metropolitan Police Cadet Corps.

With is wife Linda, whom he married in 1971, they were together volunteers in the Girl Guides & The Scout Movement for many years, with Andrew continuing in a support role here in the Forest. 

It is worth noting that quite soon into their marriage they found that the hurtful issues of Linda’s childhood would play a significant part in their future.

In 2012 when Linda was no longer able to work Andrew took early retirement, but continued to commute twice a week to his work @ London Borough of Richmond as a Senior Trading Standards Support Officer and in London Borough of Hounslow managing the Street Pastors Team.

Soon after arriving in this beautiful part of England Linda was diagnosed with Dementia and Andrew and his family were told that she had 5 years left to live. 

Andrew gave up work in West London to concentrate on supporting Linda as her principal carer. ‘Little did he know what he was taking on’. Like most folk he knew little about Dementia.

As a family they were thrust onto a swift learning curve and began to collate Dementia related information some of which would help them fight this terrible infliction.

Andrew found out that :-

-          Dementia was much more common than he thought

-          Support for those touched by Dementia locally was spasmodic

-          National Charities produced a lot of factual helpful literature

-          There was [and still is ] a very great problem with acceptance

-          The stigma surrounding Dementia is strong

-          Most people will pass off the behaviour / symptoms as old age

-          His families lives would never be the same

-          The role of Carer is very different of that of Husband

-          As he accepted the diagnoses the whole family were beginning to grieve the passing of our beloved Linda, whilst she was still here.

The diagnosed 5 years has stretched to the present time. Over these years Dementia has taken Linda from Andrew, today she bares little likeness to the lady he married.

As Andrews knowledge and understand of Dementia grew so did his ability to help and signpost others.

Andrew’s experience with Linda hasn’t dampened his passion and commitment, but it has changed & enhanced his ability to help others. 

This is where Andrew’s passion for dementia inclusive communities has come from and we hope his heartfelt words will resonate with you.