More Dementia Friendly High Streets are launched across HampshireWith nearly 20,000 people estimated to be living with dementia in Hampshire and the possibility that this number may double by 2030, it’s really important that we make our communities as inclusive as possible for people with dementia. We are particularly calling on the business community to get involved by signing up to the Hampshire Dementia Action Alliance (HDAA) and supporting us to develop dementia friendly high streets. Following on from the success of the first 3 High Streets, with the support of local businesses, we have now launched 2 further high streets in Romsey and Alton.

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On 1 May, the then Deputy Mayor of Test Valley, Councillor Jan Lovell, Romsey Town Mayor, Councillor Ian Richards, and Councillor Tony Ward, Dementia Ambassador for Test Valley Borough Council, were joined by Caroline Nokes MP, at the launch of Hampshire’s first Dementia Friendly market town in Romsey. The event was well-attended, despite the weather, and 25 organisations signed up for the launch including Boots, Clarks, Costa at The Rapids, Santander, NatWest and Romans Originals. Mark Edgerley, Romsey Town Centre Manager, said:

“Romsey Town Council and the town centre businesses pride themselves on their high quality customer care. We are delighted to be the first market town in Hampshire to commit to be a Dementia Friendly Community and will continue to improve our environment for all our shoppers and visitors.”

Alton Town Mayor, Cllr Graham Hill, officially launched East Hampshire’s first Dementia Friendly High Street by presenting Halifax in Alton with the town’s first Dementia Friendly shop window sticker. All businesses who have signed up to the Dementia Friendly High Street scheme are able to display a sticker in their shop window - this will show people with dementia and their carers that these organisations are committed to their staff being ‘dementia aware’ and know how to support customers with dementia.The list of businesses and organisations who have signed up to the Dementia Friendly High Street scheme in Alton includes: Alton Community Centre; Specsavers; Lloyds Pharmacy; Alton library, Waitrose, Alton Eye Care, Sainsbury’s, Boots and Halifax. Sarah Gardner, Local Area Co-ordinator for Dementia Friendly Hampshire commented:

“It is possible for people with dementia to live a full and active life if they receive the necessary understanding and support from the community. With an increasingly ageing population, it is essential that communities understand what it means to live with dementia. Small changes to attitude and customer service can make a huge difference and will keep people with dementia and their carers engaged with their local shops, services, businesses and leisure facilities. We are delighted that Alton is participating in the Dementia Friendly High Street initiative.”

We will be launching further Dementia Friendly High Streets in the coming months including Winchester on October 23rd. We are also working with local action groups to help them to launch their own Dementia Friendly High Streets including, Eastleigh, Hartley Wintney, Liss and Odiham.

Boots commits to the Hampshire Dementia Action AllianceThe Hampshire Dementia Action Alliance (HDAA) is made up of organisations committed to making a positive difference to the quality of life for people with dementia and their carers. It’s free and easy to pledge support and, although it will deliver tangible business benefits, signing-up is unlikely to be a big commitment in terms of time and cost. Members of the HDAA publish their own bespoke action plans which, as well as committing to staff awareness training, may include actions such as conducting a review of environmental factors such as signage and seating and making appropriate changes. The membership of the Alliance is now over 200, covering every sector, from retail, banking and hospitality to public services, charities, care homes and training organisations. We are now one of the largest and most diverse Local Action Alliances in the country, making Hampshire one of the most Dementia Friendly counties to live in.

To add to the success of the Alliance, in June, Boots UK Hampshire showed their commitment to making their organisation Dementia Friendly by joining the HDAA. By the end of July all regional leads, pharmacists and dispensing staff – nearly 500 people - in their 56 branches across the county had attended dementia awareness sessions. This means that people with dementia and their carers can use any dispensing branch of Boots and know that they will find someone there who will understand their needs. The organisation will now start to extend the training to the rest of their staff and to look at other ways in which they can contribute to establishing Dementia Friendly Communities.

Dementia Action GroupsAll around Hampshire, people who want to make their communities Dementia Friendly are coming together and forming Dementia Action Groups. Local people are best placed to know what is needed in their area and who needs to be involved to get things done. Dementia Friendly Hampshire, through Andover Mind, supports the groups and offers advice and guidance to help them to achieve their aims. Everyone who participates is helping to make a difference to the lives of people with dementia and their carers. We have already established Dementia Action Groups in Alton, Lymington, Basingstoke, Liss,

Hartley Wintney, Fareham and Milford-on-Sea, with many others in the process of setting up. We are hoping to establish new groups across Hampshire so if you would like to join an existing group or, would like information about making your own community Dementia Friendly, please contact the local area co-ordinator in your area or the project manager.

2014-2015

Area Co-ordinators:

Hart Rushmoor/Basingstoke and Deane/Test Valleyjenny.allcott@andovermind.org.uk New Forest/ Eastleighjane.ward@andovermind.org.uk

Fareham/Gosportdiane.bizley@andovermind.org.uk

Havant and E. Hants.sarah.gardner@andovermind.org.uk

Winchestervessi.wharton@andovermind.org.uk

Contact details:Project Manager debbie.morshead@andovermind.org.uk | 07827 318017

News• BasDag - Basingstoke Dementia

Action Group needs volunteers. Contact Jenny Allcott for details.

• Training Event - Training the designated Dementia Champion to support customer facing staff on 14th October 2014 10-4pm St Catherine’s View, Stanmore Lane, Winchester, Hampshire SO22 4BL. Cost £10 per person. Contact Diane Bizley to book your place.

• The newly formed Winchester Dementia Friendly Action Group will be in Winchester High Street engaging with local residents and businesses in September and October - look out for them!

www.hants.gov.uk/dementiafriendly

Consulting people with dementiaThe views of people with dementia and their carers are vital to the success of our project. We will be holding a number of consultation events across Hampshire in the coming months.

If you are not able to attend any of the events, you can always contact us via your local area co-ordinator or the project manager whose details are in this newsletter. We would love to hear your views.

Newsletter October 2014 | Photos by kind permission of Mandy Moore