Following a meeting with Dementia Friendly Gosport and Fareham, Local MP, Caroline Dinenage has signed her office up to the Dementia Friendly Gosport scheme and is encouraging others to do the same.
The scheme has committed to raising staff awareness about dementia as a way of improving the lives and experiences of people living with the disease.
Dementia Friendly Hampshire is driving the development of dementia friendly communities across the county, they are an independent charity, linked with Alzheimer's Society's national Dementia Friendly Communities program. They want Hampshire to be a county where people affected by dementia can live a good life, with opportunities to participate in and contribute to their communities and be valued for who they are.
Caroline said:
"My grandma lived with dementia and I saw first-hand the effect it had on her and our family. I became a 'Dementia Friend' in 2015 and a ‘Dementia Champion’ last year, to better understand how to support people living with dementia in our community and encourage others to do the same.
I really want to see our whole area become 'dementia friendly' and will continue to work with Dementia Friendly Gosport and local people to see this become a reality."
Catherine Diamond, Chair, Fareham & Gosport Dementia Action Group said:
“We are delighted that Caroline and her staff are Dementia Friends and have joined the Action Group, which is part of Dementia Friendly Fareham & Gosport.
As a Group we are seeking to encourage local businesses, services and the general public to become 'dementia friendly'. By becoming more aware of the disease and its symptoms we can all actively support those people who live with dementia, helping them to remain as independent and part of their community for as long as possible.”
To learn more about the scheme or to sign your business up, please contact Catherine on dffarehamandgosport@gmail.com