New group launches with aim to make Newbury dementia-friendly

Newbury MP Richard Benyon, who helped launched the Newbury Dementia Action Alliance group at the celebrations in the Market Place, said: “I have been in contact with a number of local businesses, calling on them to become dementia-friendly and I now call on those who have yet to sign up, to do so.”
Alliance members – including Gardner Leader, the Corn Exchange, Waterstones and The Empire Café – have pledged to improve their services for people with dementia, from hosting Dementia Friends sessions, or more simple measures, such as improving signage and providing seating.
The launch comes after an Alzheimer’s Society report found that less than half (47 per cent) of people living with dementia felt part of their community.
Mr Benyon also praised Sue Butterworth, Berkshire Dementia Action Alliance co-ordinator, for her efforts in organising the launch party.
Alzheimer’s Society regional operations director Linda Barnes said: ‘It’s vital that people living with dementia should still be able to enjoy all Newbury has to offer. “Many people with dementia have reported feeling trapped in their own homes and let down by their communities, with one in three only getting out once a week and one in 10 only manage this once a month. This is simply unacceptable.”
The launch was supported by the Corn Exchange with music, puppets and crafts, alongside local firefighters, and local care home representatives.
According to the Alzheimer’s Society, one in three people aged over 65 will develop dementia and the disease affects 800,000 people in the UK, at a cost of £23bn a year to the UK economy.
It is estimated that 1,833 people in West Berkshire suffer from the condition.
For more information about the Newbury Dementia Action Alliance, contact Sue Butterworth, email Susan.butterworth@alzheimers.org.uk, call 07717 343048, or visit www.dementiaaction.org.uk