Sixth formers aiming to make Brackla a more dementia friendly community

Kind-hearted teenagers in Brackla are leading a drive to make their community more accommodating for people living with dementia.

Sixth form students from Archbishop McGrath School have recently completed dementia friendly training so that they can raise awareness among their classmates, local businesses and residents about the effects of dementia.

They’d like to create a community where people are more understanding, tolerant and supportive of the condition.

Having completed their training with the Alzheimer Society, the pupils are now Dementia Champions and have held their first information session which was attended by local councillors, parents, members of local churches, and representatives from GP surgeries.

To further their cause the students have partnered up with Julie Carter and Chris Lloyd, who work in the East Integrated Community Network Team, which compromises of staff from Bridgend County Borough Council and Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board.

It’s great to see students getting involved in in the Dementia friendly initiative; the students wear their badge with pride and are very proud to be providing greater understanding, tolerance and support, and helping people with dementia.

People with dementia are often prone to become isolated and can suffer from loneliness, but dementia friends within the community ensure that they feel understood, valued and able to contribute to their community.

Councillor Phil White, Cabinet Member for Social Services and Early Help

Archbishop Dementia Friend pupils will be holding further awareness sessions during March. For more information on this and to keep up to date with their project follow their Twitter account at: @ArchDementia

Businesses or organisations who would like to find out more about the dementia friendly awareness sessions can contact BAVO on 01656 810400 or contact the Alzheimer’s Society on 01656 647158.