The journey to creating dementia-friendly communities across North Wales is well underway. The Dementia Friendly Communities Scheme is about helping to build communities that are compassionate, inclusive and resilient for people living with dementia, and also to support their friends, families and unpaid carers to stay connected, and live well within their local areas. The North Wales Regional Partnership Board (RPB) launched the North Wales Dementia Friendly Communities Scheme on January 1, 2024. This initiative builds on the valuable work of the Alzheimer’s Society, whose scheme has now closed, and involves collaboration with six local councils, County Voluntary Councils, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, local businesses, and charities.
The Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council (DVSC) has been instrumental in the scheme’s development, sharing expertise from their Dementia Aware Denbighshire project to support other councils and promote the initiative across the region. Rebecca Bowcot, Dementia Aware Denbighshire, DVSC said:
“Raising awareness of dementia across Denbighshire has been a great way of empowering individuals and communities to take action in order to help people affected by dementia in their local communities. It is extremely rewarding to see people coming together to achieve their individual aims of wanting to support people so that everyone can continue to be included and play an active role within their community. We host a bi-monthly Dementia Aware Denbighshire Network which allows dementia friendly communities to come together to share ideas and support each other to enable their dementia friendly communities to develop and thrive.”
Dementia Friendly Denbigh – Chair Dilwyn Jones said: “I was honored to become Chair of Dementia Friendly Denbigh and be part of the process of increasing awareness locally, through information session. We have been able to donate items such as Alexas and robotic cats and dogs to help those living with dementia and their carers”.
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Cllr John Pritchard, lead member for adult social care, said: “This is a really important scheme for those living with dementia. I am proud that Wrexham Council is recognised as a Dementia friendly authority and the county borough is a place where those living with Dementia can feel safe and secure.”
Cllr Frank Hemmings, who is a Dementia Ambassador with the Alzheimer’s Society, said: “I am really proud of the work we do in Dementia Friends Wrexham, offering weekly art groups and monthly Singing For The Brain all provided by volunteers. These activities bring welcome relief to those living with the disease and their carer’s and is pleasure to be involved with. It’s important we create understanding and caring for those affected and to provide support where we can.”
Communities participating in the scheme can gain recognition for their efforts, which might include:
- Staff training in local businesses
- Clear and understandable signage around town
- Dementia-friendly activities
There are currently 12 communities in North Wales recognised for their progress towards becoming dementia friendly, from Ynys Mon to Wrexham. It is anticipated that a further 12 communities will be looking to apply for dementia friendly status accreditation during 2025.
In the scheme’s first year:
- Over 1,000 people living with dementia and their unpaid carers were supported through dementia groups.
- More than 150 people attended dementia training sessions.
- Over 1,400 people reported improved knowledge of dementia services in their community.
A person living with dementia said: “Being part of a dementia friendly community helps to get your voice heard. It has also helped promote the Precious Memories group in Rhyl which takes place weekly and is a valuable source of peer support for people”.
This is one of a number of schemes delivered by the North Wales Regional Partnership Board (RPB) and their partners, working to make communities more inclusive and empowering: https://www.northwalescollaborative.wales/regional-partnership-board/
Learn more about the North Wales Dementia Friendly Communities Scheme and how to apply.
