Working group moves Jarrow's dementia friendly status one step closer to reality

Work has started to contact businesses in the town’s main shopping area to come on board to help make the lives of people with dementia easier.

The move is being taken by a working group – led by Coun Fay Cunningham – and supported by the Alzheimer’s Society.

A pilot project in Hebburn has already seen the town being given dementia-friendly status after staff in a variety of businesses and centres in the area underwent training, so they can provide a place for people to turn to if they feel lost and confused.

It is now hoped Jarrow will follow suit with it also being given the status within the next nine months.

Coun Cunningham said: “The working group has had our inaugural meeting which was really encouraging. We will be approaching Jarrow Shopping Centre and Morrisons in order for them to be given training.

“Once that has been completed the store will be entitled to display a Forget-Me-Knot symbol – this is a symbol anyone with dementia would recognise as being a place where they can go in a and receive help.

“We are looking at rolling this out right across Jarrow, including places like Bede’s World, Jarrow Hall, Community Centres and Church Halls.

“We anticipate Jarrow will be a dementia-friendly town in about nine months.”

A dementia-friendly community is any city, town or village where people with dementia are understood, respected and supported – and feel confident they can contribute to community life.