The Wolverhampton Dementia Action Alliance has brought together a range of local organisations which want to become more dementia friendly, including businesses, emergency services, religious groups and education providers.
Already more than 30 organisations have signed up and are meeting regularly to discuss ways in which they can improve services so that they better meet the needs of people with dementia. The group's membership also includes carers and people with dementia who are able to speak first hand about their experiences.
Wolverhampton is working towards becoming one of the first Dementia Friendly Communities in the country and Councillor Steve Evans, Wolverhampton City Council's Cabinet Member for Adult Services, said: "The Dementia Action Alliance is focused on how we make our commitment to Wolverhampton becoming a Dementia Friendly Community tangible, and how we can really make a difference to local people.
"The organisations involved can all have a real impact on the lives of residents with dementia in one way or another - they have a really important role to play in making Wolverhampton a place which is supportive to people with dementia and also responds to their needs.
"On behalf of people with dementia in Wolverhampton and their carers, I'd like to thank those organisations which have already joined the Dementia Action Alliance and encourage other organisations which feel they have an important role to play to join the group as soon as possible - because together we can make a real difference."
The next meeting of the Wolverhampton Dementia Action Alliance takes place at the Civic Centre, St Peter's Square, on Tuesday 21 April, 2015 from 12pm to 2pm. The Alliance aims to raise awareness and understanding of dementia amongst the whole community, promote the good work being done by individual organisations to make people with dementia feel welcomed, and provide opportunities for organisations to hear first hand from people with dementia about what works well and not so well.
Organisations which have joined the Alliance also sign up to the National Dementia Declaration and develop action plans setting out how they will deliver the outcomes described in the Declaration.
Wolverhampton City Council took up the Prime Minister's Challenge on Dementia, calling for the development of a number of Dementia Friendly Communities around the country, in 2012. Since then, health and social care providers, local businesses, religious groups and other organisations have worked tirelessly to improve services for the 3,000 or so people living with dementia in the city.
Organisations which want to find out more about the Alliance or Wolverhampton's bid to become a Dementia Friendly Community are invited to call Santosh Kumari on 01902 555369 or email santosh.kumari@wolverhampton.gov.uk or Grace Forrester on 01902 551167 or grace.forrester@wolverhampton.gov.uk.
- released: Wednesday 25 March, 2015