Aileen Francis Money Matters & Advocacy Manager

Dementia Friendly Communities A dementia-friendly community is one in which people with dementia are empowered to have high aspirations and feel confident. Knowing they can contribute and participate in activities that are meaningful to them Able to lead a normal a life as possible, supported by the community they live in. No 1 Activity identified – to do the weekly shopping – 35% only go out once a week. 9% have stopped all things they used to do.

Dementia Friendly Community Project December 2012 Age UK Pilot – Main Stream Services become Dementia Friendly – Training package developed in 3 levels – Leaflet, E Learning and Dementia Awareness session Funding received from Norfolk & Suffolk Dementia Alliance – To develop a Dementia Friendly Communities pilot project. March 2013 – Dementia Lead recruited – Joanne Mountjoy-Dixon.

March – May 2013 Dementia Friendly Community research undertaken and project plan developed. Wymondham Dementia Support Group(Pabulum Café) identified as the Community Hub. Toolkit developed as part of training package to be offered to businesses, organisations and groups. Sticker designed to indicate Dementia Aware shop/business etc. May – September Dementia Lead becomes part of the Wymondham community and identifies key individuals and organisations to drive project forward – Ownership/Cross Section of the community. September 12th DFC Launch Evening – 80+ people attend - sign up for training package.

Dementia Friendly Community Toolkit Awareness and guidance for local businesses, organisations and groups Section 1 – Dementia information awareness and understanding. Section 2 – How to help people with memory problems. Section 3 – Creating a dementia friendly environment. Section 4 – Useful resources and information.

October 8 th – first Dementia Awareness Training Session Delivered – toolkit and sticker issued.(Dementia Friends Badge) Dementia Lead encourages community to develop services for those living with Dementia. Community drive forward process with support from Age UK Norfolk.

Project Spin-offs Age UK Norfolk profile raised - IA&A Services services promoted. Individuals supported Wymondham Business Support Group. Training delivered to Wymondham Library – potential roll out to Norfolk Library Service. Waitrose/John Lewis – Training Package. Police Safer Places initiative. Tesco community staff. ASDA/CO-OP – Swaffham. Approach from The Church – community within the wider community.

Development Plans Already working with Swaffham Iceni Project and in discussion with Wells – all communities are individual. Norfolk & Suffolk Dementia Alliance - future funding to roll out to 28 hubs across Norfolk/Suffolk Working in partnership with the Alzheimers Society. Expansion of Dementia Cafés and support services.

If we give a better service to people with dementia, then we give a better service to everyone. As their dementia progresses, people may be less able to enter our world – we may need to enter theirs and enjoy it with them