Newport recognised as Shropshire's first dementia-friendly town
Newport has been officially recognised as Shropshire’s very first dementia-friendly town, it was announced this week.
Over the past year, 186 Newport shops, businesses, groups and organisations have signed up to support an initiative to help develop the town as more welcoming to local people living with dementia, their friends, families and carers.
Supporters – from opticians, dentists, hairdressers and beauty salons to gift shops, petrol stations, solicitors and estate agents – have pledged to find out more about dementia and to take a range of simple actions that will make the town more dementia friendly.
The Alzheimer’s Society, which has delivered the work in Newport with the backing of Telford & Wrekin NHS Clinical Commissioning Group, has now announced that Newport has been successful in its application to be recognised as a Dementia Friendly Town.
But the recently formed Dementia-Friendly Newport group has announced it will not stop there.
Improve
The team aims to continue its efforts to further improve the town for families affected by dementia.
“Taking a long, hard look at the shops and businesses in the town to see if anything can be done to make their facilities and environments more welcoming for people living with dementia is among our priorities,” said Councillor Peter Scott, a member of the Dementia-Friendly Newport Group.
“I’m extremely pleased by the progress made by the team this year. It is a fantastic achievement.
“We are completely delighted that efforts made so far have resulted in this official recognition from the Alzheimer’s Society.”
Patience
The effort to make Newport dementia-friendly began in July 2017. Organisers said they wanted to create a safe space for those living with the condition.
There are about 230 people living with dementia in Newport, and it was hoped that businesses, schools, shops and banks could be made easier to use.
When the initiative launched, the Alzheimer’s Society's Phil Gillam said: "People affected by dementia want to be able to live well for as long as possible in their community – going about their everyday lives, and taking part in the same opportunities that everyone does.
“All it needs is for people to show a little bit of patience and understanding."
The next meeting of the Dementia-Friendly Newport group will be at Cottage Care Centre in Newport, on January 31.
The meeting will run from 6.30pm and all are welcome.
For more details about the meeting or group email lyncfowler@yahoo.co.uk
