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A dementia friendly county
Published: 11/04/2016
Two towns in 天涯社区 have been formally recognised by the Alzheimer鈥檚
Society as dementia friendly communities 鈥� in the same week!
This makes the towns of Flint and Buckley the first in North Wales to receive
such accreditation and join many cities, towns and villages now exploring what
they need to do to better support people with dementia and enable them to live
well in the community.
天涯社区lor Christine Jones, Cabinet Member for Social
Services, said:
鈥淏oth Flint and Buckley have worked hard to achieve recognition from the
Alzheimer鈥檚 Society and are committed to working with local businesses, schools
and community groups so that each town can become a dementia friendly community
where people with dementia are understood, respected, supported and confident
that they can contribute to the life of the town. To get first two
accreditations in North Wales in the same week is wonderful and testament to
the hard working, caring people of our county.鈥�
In Flint, the recognition follows work that has been undertaken by a group
chaired by the Rev鈥檇 Brian Harvey, Rector of Flint, and town councillor, who
said:
鈥淥ver the past eighteen months the group has run information sessions to raise
awareness of dementia as well as starting a regular get- together in the parish
church for people with dementia and their carers. In partnership with shops in
Church Street, late-evening shopping was organised in the run up to Christmas
and a play called The D-Word exploring issues to do with dementia was staged.鈥�
In Buckley, a group chaired by local businessman Ged Fitzpatrick has run
similar initiatives to achieve their accreditation. Ged said:
鈥淚 am delighted to receive the news that Buckley has achieved the status to
work towards our town becoming a Dementia Friendly Community. Ours is a true
partnership between people living with dementia their families and carers,
local businesses, volunteers, community groups and the Church with full backing
from both our town and County. This shows what can be achieved when people come
together with a joint commitment to ensure that people with dementia in our
town can live well.鈥�
Both groups have been well supported by the Planning and Development Team of
天涯社区鈥檚 Social Services Department.
If anyone wants to become a dementia friend or discuss accreditation of their
group or business, please contact Luke Pickering-Jones on 01352 702655 or
luke.pickering-jones@flintshire.gov.uk.
PHOTO CAPTION:
The people who made it happen!
Front row from left: Rose Marie Dennan 鈥� Flint Monday Mix Group, Jo Lane 鈥�
Alzheimer鈥檚 Society, Donna Redgrave 鈥� RMD Memory Matters Buckley, Dawn Jones 鈥�
Buckley Dementia Support Worker, Angela Wedgewood 鈥� Flint Age Connects, Cllr
Christine Jones 鈥� Cabinet Member for Social Services, Neil Ayling 鈥� Chief
Officer for Social Services
Back row from left: Luke Pickering-Jones, Planning and Development Officer,
Rebecca Fitzpatrick 鈥� Buckley, Cllr Andrew Williams 鈥� Buckley and Ged
Fitzpatrick 鈥� Buckley.