Published: Thursday, 17th November 2016
People living, working and visiting Cannock Chase District are being encouraged to become Dementia Friends thanks to the work of the local Dementia Action Alliance.
Cannock Chase Council has been working with Staffordshire County Council and voluntary sector agencies towards making the district dementia-friendly.
Latest update: A Dementia Friends Information session was delivered to staff at C Residential, Rugeley on 16 January 2016. 10 Dementia Friends were made. Well Done C Residential!
The Dementia Friends Programme is the Alzheimer’s Society’s biggest ever initiative to change people’s perceptions of dementia. Dementia Friends are helping to create communities in which people living with dementia feel more understood and included.
A Dementia Friend learns a little bit more about what it's like to live with dementia and then turns that understanding into action - anyone of any age can be a Dementia Friend. People can attend a face-to-face Dementia Friends Information Session or watch an online video - Dementia Friends is about learning more about dementia and the small ways an individual can help.
Dementia Friends Information Sessions are run by Dementia Friends Champions who are trained and supported by the Alzheimer’s Society. Each Information Session lasts around one hour and people will learn more about dementia and how individuals can help to create dementia friendly communities. Search for the nearest Information Sessions by visiting www.dementiafriends.org.uk.
Councillor Muriel Davis, Leader of Health and Wellbeing for Cannock Chase Council, said: “The Dementia Friends initiative provides people with a greater understanding of dementia and some of the ways they can help people living with the condition. This can be something as simple as being more patient, to volunteering, to campaigning for change.
“There are approximately 1,184 people living with dementia in the district and this figure is expected to increase to just over 2000 by 2030.
“The continued work of the Alliance will help to improve the quality of life for the increasing number of people living with the condition by helping to create communities in which people living with dementia feel they are part of”.
County Councillor Alan White, Cabinet Member for Health, Care and Wellbeing said: “Dementia is one of the biggest challenges facing the county, so it is good to see so many activities taking place and the community coming together to help support people with dementia, along with their carers and families.”
The new Alliance held a successful ‘dementia friendly’ launch event in Cannock Town Centre in September where organisations from across the public, private and voluntary sectors were on hand to provide advice and promote local services to members of the public. The event was extremely well attended and provided an increased awareness to people coping with dementia about the support available to them.
To support the ongoing dementia-friendly initiatives, a ‘What’s On’ guide has been produced to promote local services that are available within the district for people living with dementia and their carers. This guide is available in hard copy and can also be downloaded from Cannock Chase Council’s website.
If you would like more information about Cannock Chase Dementia Action Alliance or becoming a Dementia Friend please contact the Council’s Partnerships Team on 01543 464635 or email communications@cannockchasedc.gov.uk