THE Practice of Health has become the first GP surgery to join the dementia friendly network in Barry.

Staff at the medical centre in Barry Rd, Barry, recently attended a dementia awareness session given by an Alzheimer’s Society trained volunteer dementia champion.

The hour-long session looks at the fear and stigma around dementia and how all can help to support people living with dementia and awareness of this disease of the brain.

After the session the surgery pledged to become a Dementia Friendly Practice.

The practice manger said: “The session gave us lots to think about when we see patients living with dementia and what other options and ideas are available that we can share with the patient and their families.”

Volunteer dementia champion Alzheimer's Society and chairwoman of the Dementia Friendly Barry steering group, Jane Weldon said: “This surgery is the first surgery in Barry to join the Dementia Friendly Barry initiative to be involved in creating a dementia friendly community here in Barry, which is inclusive of the needs and supports people living with dementia and their carers of all ages."

A dementia awareness session has also been attended by volunteers at Barry and Wenvoe libraries.

The Alzheimer’s Society volunteer dementia champions have dementia awareness sessions which are tailored from ages eight upwards.

The sessions are for all types of groups, schools, and businesses running a club or activities for people living with dementia.

Anyone wanting to know how to become involved in the dementia friendly community, can email dementiafriendlybarry@outlook.com or log onto dementiafriendlyvale.co.uk