Building a Dementia Friendly nation in the new Assembly term

On Tuesday 24 May, Alzheimer’s Society are holding a Dementia Friendly Communities event in Cardiff, supported by former Wales international footballer, Robbie Savage. The event organised by the charity and sponsored by Western Power Distribution will bring together people living with dementia, returning and newly elected AMs, businesses and organisations from across Wales.

The meeting aims to build on and showcase some of the work already underway in Wales to build Dementia Friendly Communities. It will feature best practice case studies and presentations by local communities working together to improve the lives of people with dementia. The event also celebrates the number of Dementia Friends reaching the 45,000 mark in Wales, a great achievement for the initiative which began in February 2014.

Robbie Savage, who lost his dad, Colin, aged 64 to Pick’s disease (a form of dementia) in 2012, has sent a message of support for the event, saying:

“I’m a proud Ambassador for Alzheimer’s Society and pleased to support this important programme of work in Wales. In the absence of a cure for dementia, building Dementia Friendly Communities can make a huge difference to lives of people living with the condition. A little understanding and compassion can go a long way to making life a little easier.”

Sue Phelps, Director for Alzheimer’s Society in Wales, said:

“There are 45,000 people living with dementia in Wales. It’s vital that we build a Dementia Friendly Nation which supports and empowers people affected by dementia to feel supported and play a meaningful part in their communities.

We must work together with Welsh government and other partners to deliver genuine and long term change. This has to be underpinned by a fully resourced Dementia Strategy for Wales.”

To find out more about Dementia Friendly Communities in Wales visit www.alzheimers.org.uk/dementiafriendlycommunities for more information about this event email amy.kitcher@alzheimers.org.uk