Bradford's Alzheimer's Society is calling on the district to help make the city more dementia-friendly; urging businesses and community organisations to come up with an action plan outlining how they plan to raise awareness of the condition among staff, make premises more accessible and support people living with dementia.

The first Bradford District Dementia Action Alliance meeting, which took place last month at the University of Bradford, was seen as a step towards making Bradford one of the first dementia-friendly districts in the UK.

According to the Alzheimer’s Society, an estimated 6,000 people in the Bradford district have dementia, but just over half haven’t had a formal diagnosis. Nationally, around 800,000 people in the UK are said to have the condition and that is likely to rise to one million by 2021 as our ageing population grows.

In trying to make the district more dementia-friendly, the Alzheimer’s Society hopes to combat the stigma attached to the condition and promote social inclusion for people with dementia and their families.

As the older section of society swells, the Government is challenging society to become more aware of dementia and improve support, so people with the condition can remain active and valued within our communities.

The campaign to make Bradford dementia-friendly has led to special dementia training and awareness events being held this month. They are led by Dr Elizabeth Milwain, a psychologist and advisor on dementia issues to the Diocese of Bradford, who last year ran a ten-week MemoryWise course for people diagnosed with dementia and other memory difficulties. Participants were invited to reminisce and celebrate their life stories, while receiving advice on how to live well with memory problems.

This month, Dr Milwain is holding dementia awareness training events, giving people chance to find out more about the condition and discuss concerns. The events are aimed at potential volunteers or supporters rather than people with dementia and their carers.

Churches, Council ward officers, Bradford’s Health on the Streets team and the Alzheimer’s Society are working together on the sessions.

The first event, on July 16, is a Building Dementia Confidence Day. “It’s a training day, free of charge, for people wanting to build their confidence and skills in supporting people with dementia in their community,” said Dr Milwain.

“The training will cover the following topics: what dementia is (and what it is not), understanding how dementia affects people, communication techniques and getting the right approach, and simple and practical ways to help.

“It’s open to people who have a friend, neighbour or family member with dementia and want to learn how to offer sensitive help and support, and also people who are already working as volunteers or staff in daycare or befriending schemes and are beginning to encounter people with confusion or memory issues.

“It’s a good opportunity for local people to access university-quality training on dementia, tailored for local needs.”

On July 20, Dr Milwain will lead a Dementia Awareness and Discussion Morning in Addingham. A presentation on key facts will be followed by a question-and-answer session and the opportunity for a one-to-one discussion for anyone with a particular concern.

“Dementia can be a distressing and challenging condition, but with help and support a good quality of life can be maintained,” says Dr Milwain.

“In my experience the thing that causes most distress is the social isolation that all too often follows the diagnosis. It is particularly important that people start coming together to talk about the issues and difficult emotions involved.”

Cathy Henwood from Bradford Alzheimer’s Society said the sessions offered opportunities for people who want to step up and offer support – either because they know someone and want to “get alongside” them, because they want to start volunteering in support activities or they’re already working in day care or befriending, encountering people with memory loss and confusion.

  • The Building Dementia Confidence Day is at Idle Baptist Church on Tuesday, July 16, 10am-3pm. Places are limited to 20 people. To book a place, call the Reverend Tony Taylor or Louise Dickinson on (01274) 618280. The Dementia Awareness and Discussion Morning is at St Peter’s Church, Low Mill Lane, Addingham, on Saturday, July 20, 10am-12.45pm. To book a place or find out more, call 07446 941794. A reminiscence group for people with memory difficulties, which has been running since last year’s MemoryWise project, meets at Shipley’s Kirkgate Centre on alternate Wednesdays, 10.30am-12.30pm. For more details, call Dr Milwain on (01274) 583364.