Farnham all set to become a Dementia Friendly Town
Published: 26/01/2017
This week saw the inaugural meeting of the Farnham Dementia Action Alliance at the Farnham Maltings. Dementia Action Alliance (DAA) is the alliance for organisations across England to connect, share best practice and take action on dementia. The idea is that different communities set up a DAA and work towards making that community more dementia friendly.
Local organisations Right at Home GF, Farnham Maltings, Farnham Town Council, Professional Training Solutions, Specsavers and St. Andrew’s Church are founding members of the DAA and the Farnham Mayor was also in support for the first meeting.
Chair of the new Farnham DAA Alastair Shanks said, “This was an excellent meeting, I am delighted with the huge amount of enthusiasm to make a difference. What is really great is that without much cost or effort we can make a real difference to the lives of those living with dementia and their families in Farnham. I am delighted to have such a great team of people involved already and look forward to other organisations joining us.”
It is estimated that around 16,000 people in Surrey are living with dementia and around two thirds of them are still living at home. The main purpose of the DAA is to make life better both for those living with dementia and for their families who support them.
The aims of the Farnham DAA are;
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Support & encourage all Farnham organisations to be dementia friendly
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Increase awareness of and add to services / initiatives that support people living with dementia
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Ensure employers support their employees who are carers of people living with dementia
The Mayor of Farnham, Cllr John Ward said, “I’m delighted to welcome the establishment of the Dementia Action Alliance. It is really positive to see different groups coming together to make the lives of people living with dementia and those who care for them that bit easier.”
If are interested in your organisation joining the DAA either search for “DAA Farnham” online or get in touch with Alastair on 01252 783426.
Photo from left to right;
Andrew Partridge, Farnham Churches Together
Sarah Carr-Archer, St Andrew’s Church
Lateef Iqbal, Specsavers
Alastair Shanks (Chair), Right at Home GF
John Ward, Farnham Mayor
Sue Ellis (Secretary), Farnham Maltings
Jackie Denyer, Professional Training Solutions
Chime Carlin, Alzheimer’s Society
Ian Kershaw, Farnham Town Council
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