Plymouth to become country's first dementia friendly university

Plymouth is set to become the country’s first dementia friendly university, furthering its commitment to improving the lives of those affected by the condition

A strategy is now being implemented which is designed to make staff and students more aware of the condition and the needs of those with it.

This will initially involve specialist training being provided for managers and front line staff, with ways to make the University campus dementia friendly also being considered.

Dementia is a growing health concern, with estimates there are currently around 670,000 people living with dementia in the UK, although that number is predicted to rise to 1 million by 2021.

Professor Wendy Purcell, Vice-Chancellor at Plymouth University, said: “Given the scale and impact of this condition, a whole society approach is needed to help fight the stigma and ignorance surrounding dementia. Plymouth University is already taking the lead here through our research and work in the community. Our ground-breaking approach reflects our mission of advancing knowledge and transforming lives through education and research and our focus on driving social inclusion through enterprise.”

The University has been the academic partner of the Plymouth Dementia Action Alliance since 2010, and has already embedded dementia awareness in a number of academic areas.

It has worked in partnership with Stoke Damerel Community College to help it achieve dementia friendly recognition, and is heavily involved in a number of other community projects.

There is a dedicated research group at the University, which was set up in 2009 and has conducted studies into dementia-related areas such as GP diagnosis and support for families.

The research team is also working alongside other academic institutions, and provides a range of consultancy services to authorities across the country.

Ian Sherriff, Plymouth University’s Academic Lead for Dementia, and one of the Prime Minister’s national Dementia Champions, said: “It is fast becoming the case that when people think of dementia research, they think of Plymouth University. We are well down the line to providing an integrated and multi-disciplinary research, training and consultancy service which is at the top table as far as dementia is concerned in the UK. By continuing to work together we can make a difference to the lives of those families affected by this horrible condition.”

Plymouth University is also playing a prominent role in the Government’s Dementia Friends initiative, which aims to create a network of trained individuals and organisations who will champion dementia awareness through their own communities.