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This Dementia Action Week, the Town Council is delighted to announce that Sutton Coldfield has been awarded Dementia Friendly Community Status 2023 by the Alzheimer’s Society.
Since 2021, the Town Council has been convening and co-ordinating the efforts of the Royal Sutton Coldfield Dementia Friendly Community Steering Group. The group is made up of a diverse and dedicated range of individuals, including Dementia Friends, residents, care homes, representatives of community groups and support services, alongside the Town Council.
A Dementia Friendly Community is a city, town or village where people with dementia are understood, respected and supported. The steering group has been working towards 8 categories as set out by the Alzheimer’s Society.
One of the projects and initiatives the group has spearheaded includes the delivery of Dementia Friends’ sessions, delivered by volunteer dementia Friends ambassadors Rachel and Karen. The interactive training has been delivered to schools, faith groups, businesses and public services, at which attendees learned more about dementia, how it affects people and what they can do to help people affected by dementia in our community. Big or small, every action counts!
Students from High Claire School recently received the training and pledged to be “patient and calm” with those living with dementia and “make their life happy” by doing activities with them that they enjoy. The session educates young people, supporting the next generation to understand the condition and take meaningful actions for people affected by dementia in their community.
Faith settings, such as the Sutton Coldfield United Reformed Church, have also received the training and implemented practical actions such as putting up dementia friendly signage across the church.
Other practical actions and activities the group have delivered include scam awareness sessions with local PCSO’s, engaging with public services to promote important initiatives such as the ‘Herbert Protocol’ and ‘Safe and Well’ and working with staff at community venues to connect them with health services, such as Occupational Therapy, enabling them to deliver outreach services in the community.
The group has also been working closely with the brilliant voluntary and community groups in Sutton Coldfield that support those living with dementia as well as their loved ones. The Town Council’s webpage ‘Discover Sutton Coldfield’ is home to over 100 local community groups and venues and the dedicated ‘Local Support Services’ page offers a wide range of helpful information where residents can search for support relevant to them. Residents can now also search for local support services directly for people with dementia and their carers by searching the Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Directory linked on the webpage.
This Wednesday (17th May), the group is hosting a Dementia Awareness Afternoon at Sutton Coldfield United Reformed Church 12:30-14:00 at which residents are invited to attend to find out more about dementia and services that are available to them locally.
Chairman of Amenities, Leisure and Community Services Committee, Cllr Terry Wood, said: “This is an incredible achievement for our Royal Town and shows the dedication of those in Sutton Coldfield in their support for one and other. I would like to thank all of those involved and know the steering group has worked hard for over a year towards the accreditation and their efforts are not to be understated.
The Town Council remains committed to improving the health and wellbeing of our residents, which is prioritised in our strategic plan and the Health and Wellbeing Roadmap, which has a current focus on Falls and Frailty and supporting the town’s older population.
With special thanks to The Royal Sutton Coldfield Dementia Friendly Steering Group:
Natasha Atkinson – Resident
Kathy Beniston – Alzheimer’s Society
Sue Bevington – Home Instead
Karen Handley – Sutton Park Grange Care Home
Julie Knight – Birmingham Carers Hub
Rachel Mackay – Mercia Grange Care Home
Adele McEvilly, Julie Lewis, Sue Richards -Sutton Coldfield United Reformed Church
Abigail Mensa – Murdock – WSC Wellbeing Consultancy
Pete Millington – Sutton Coldfield Neighbourhood Network Scheme
Stuart Moffat – Friends of Jones Wood
Cllr Jane Mosson – Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council
Tony Willis – Banners Gate Neighbourhood Forum
The steering group will continue to meet and aim to improve the lives of those living with dementia in our community. If you or your group or organisation would like to get involved, please email enquiries@suttoncoldfieldtowncouncil.gov.uk