SW take action and raise awareness of Dementia
South West businesses, universities and local authorities are just a few of the organisations who have joined forces to raise awareness of Dementia and to improve the lives of those living with the disorder.
Some of the good work includes setting up cafes, singing and activity groups, becoming a Dementia Action Alliance, attending Dementia Friends awareness sessions and much more.
Organisations have rushed to become involved in raising awareness of Dementia since the Prime Minister's national challenge on Dementia two years ago.
The national challenge on Dementia has just reached its two year anniversay and Alzheimer's Society is marking the occasion with a new awards ceremony, The Dementia Friendly Awards.
The Dementia Friendly Awards, sponsored by Lloyds Banking Group,will celebrate all that has been achieved since the challenge began two years ago with an award ceremony to be held in May 2014. Entries are now open and will close on Friday, March 28.
The categories are:
- Local Initiative
- Regional Initiative
- National Initiative
- Voluntary Organisation
- Business
- School/College
- Dementia Friends Champion.
Debbie Donnison, Regional Area Manager for Alzheimer’s Society in the South West said:
"In just under two years, since the inception of the Prime Minister’s challenge on dementia, amazing progress and a huge amount of work has been undertaken by groups and individuals to deliver dementia friendly communities which is to be applauded."
"Alzheimer's Society’s report last September showed people with dementia felt trapped, isolated and let down by their communities but making small changes can make a huge difference. Dementia friendly communities are places where people with dementia are understood, respected, supported, and confident they can contribute to community life. We would like to celebrate the progress and commitments already made and encourage others to follow suit by holding these awards. Please nominate those who have been working tirelessly for people living with dementia and carers in your area."
Graham Lindsay, director, responsible business at Lloyds Banking Group added:
"We’re proud to have been working closely with Alzheimer’s Society for the last two years to help make Britain a better place for people affected by dementia. Throughout this time, we have led on the development of a charter to help the financial services industry improve the service they offer to people with the condition and their carers. We’ve also represented the sector on the Prime Minister’s Dementia Friendly Communities Champion Group. We’ve heard many stories of inspirational people who are making a real difference in communities where they live. We are thrilled to be supporting the Society to celebrate the incredible efforts of such people and the great example they are setting for how we can all help people with dementia to live well with the condition."
Entries should be submitted online via Alzheimer's Society website at www.alzheimers.org.uk/dementiafriendlyawards.
For more information on Dementia Friendly Communities and the official recognition process log on to www.alzheimers.org.uk/dementiafriendlycommunities or to find out more on how to become a Dementia Friend and Friends Champion log on to www.dementiafriends.org.uk
