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A dementia friendly county

Published: 11/04/2016

Two towns in Flintshire have been formally recognised by the Alzheimer’s Society as dementia friendly communities – 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. Flintshire County Councillor Christine Jones, Cabinet Member for Social Services, said: “Both Flint and Buckley have worked hard to achieve recognition from the Alzheimer’s 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.” In Flint, the recognition follows work that has been undertaken by a group chaired by the Rev’d Brian Harvey, Rector of Flint, and town councillor, who said: “Over 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.” In Buckley, a group chaired by local businessman Ged Fitzpatrick has run similar initiatives to achieve their accreditation. Ged said: “I 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.” Both groups have been well supported by the Planning and Development Team of Flintshire County Council’s 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 – Flint Monday Mix Group, Jo Lane – Alzheimer’s Society, Donna Redgrave – RMD Memory Matters Buckley, Dawn Jones – Buckley Dementia Support Worker, Angela Wedgewood – Flint Age Connects, Cllr Christine Jones – Cabinet Member for Social Services, Neil Ayling – Chief Officer for Social Services Back row from left: Luke Pickering-Jones, Planning and Development Officer, Rebecca Fitzpatrick – Buckley, Cllr Andrew Williams – Buckley and Ged Fitzpatrick – Buckley.