The City was officially granted Dementia Friendly Community status by the Alzheimer's Society in December in recognition of the efforts being made by members of Wolverhampton Dementia Action Alliance to improve services for people living with dementia, and their families and carers.
The Alliance, a partnership of dozens of local organisations working to become dementia friendly, is holding a special event at Wolverhampton Art Gallery on Wednesday (31 January, 2018) to share key achievements and highlight the steps members are taking to make sufferers feel better understood, respected and supported.
It will also include an awards ceremony recognising individuals and organisations who have played a key role in helping Wolverhampton secure Dementia Friendly Community status.
Councillor Sandra Samuels OBE, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Adult Services, said: "We are delighted with the work which has taken place to help Wolverhampton secure Dementia Friendly Community status.
"I am very much looking forward to this week's celebrations and being able to thank the wide range of organisations, including retailers, businesses, health and the emergency services, charities, religious groups and education providers, who are working so hard to improve the lives of people living with dementia.
"This week's event is also a chance to share good practice and encourage other organisations to join the Alliance and help make Wolverhampton even more dementia friendly."
She added: "The NHS estimates that there are 3,027 people over 65 living with dementia in Wolverhampton and we will keep looking for ways to improve the help and support available for people affected by this cruel disease."
The Alzheimer's Society defines a Dementia Friendly Community as one where people living with dementia feel included and involved, have choice and control over their daily lives and are supported to contribute to the local community. It is also a place where other people are aware of dementia and understand the needs of people living with the condition.
Lee Allen, Services Manager for Alzheimer's Society in the Black Country, said: "I am delighted that Wolverhampton has become a dementia friendly community, which comes at a time when more people are affected by dementia than ever before."
The Dementia Action Alliance meets on a regular basis to discuss ways in which they can improve services to better meet the needs of people living with dementia. As well as businesses and other organisations, its membership also includes carers and people with the condition who can speak first hand about their experiences.
To find out more about the Dementia Action Alliance, please contact Susan Eagle from the City of Wolverhampton Council, on 01902 555344 or via susan.eagle@wolverhampton.gov.uk, or Joe Edwards, the Alzheimer's Society's Dementia Friendly Communities Officer for the West Midlands, on 01543 255955 or by emailing joe.edwards@alzheimers.org.uk. More information is also available at Type=links;Linkid=9739;Title=Dementia Action Alliance;Target=_blank;.
- released: Monday 29 January, 2018