Start your journey to becoming a North Wales Dementia Friendly Community, our step-by-step guide will help you get off to the best start.
Find out more about Dementia Friendly Communities.
Please contact DFCNorthWales@denbighshire.gov.uk for any advice, support or general enquiries.
Please do not hesitate to contact our Regional Dementia Project Manager and Dementia Friendly Communities Administrator for direct advice and support, or if you require a hardcopy of any of our documents:
Melanie Sillett (Regional Dementia Project Manager)
- Email: melanie.sillett@denbighshire.gov.uk
- Mobile: 07768006414.
Karen Littler-Jones (Dementia Friendly Communities Administrator)
Step-by-step guide
Individuals from the community form a steering group who will work together to make their community more dementia friendly. These are usually individuals who share the same aims and objectives for their community. The steering group itself is usually made up of individuals, businesses, services and faith groups who support those affected by dementia in the community.
Documents – Registration Form, Principles & Criteria
The steering group must decide on a leader(s) who will take responsibility for ensuring the group are making good progress in their journey to becoming more dementia friendly.
Support- County Voluntary Council lead
Documents- Principles & Criteria
The steering group must develop a plan to raise awareness about dementia within the community. This can be done by becoming a Dementia Friend under the Alzheimer’s Society initiative, accessing Alzheimer’s Society training and holding teaching sessions in schools.
Documents – Highstreet Campaign, Action Plan & Progress Log, Steering Group Organisation Log
Local people affected by dementia should be at the centre of the scheme. Hearing their experiences and holding consultation/community events will enable the steering group to decide on the most appropriate actions for their community. The group could also invite individuals affected by dementia to the steering group and visit community based dementia services.
Documents – ‘My Voice’
Reach out and raise awareness of the work being undertaken by the steering group to engage different groups within in the community. This may be done by, hosting dementia awareness events, public meetings, social media and so on. The steering group must demonstrate how they will spread the word of their actions and commitment to dementia friendly activities.
Documents – Social Media Marketing, High Street Campaign, Take Action flyer
The steering group must identify up to three areas in their local community where actions will make a significant difference. Areas for action might include arts, shops, students, faith groups and emergency services. It is recommended that communities have been making changes for at least 3 to 6 months before applying for recognition.
Documents – Principles & Criteria, Action Plan & Progress Log, Pledge Form
The steering group must develop a plan to record and monitor the progress of their community work and actions such as, focus groups and interviews, surveys, inter-community assessments. They must be able to demonstrate how they will do this before applying for accreditation.
Documents – Principles & Criteria, Action Plan & Progress Log, Steering Group Organisation Log
The steering group must demonstrate how they have met the above criteria. They can then submit an application for recognition and accreditation to the awarding panel. It is expected that the steering group will have been established and making progress with their actions for a minimum of three months prior to applying for recognition.
Documents – Action Plan & Progress Log, Application Form (part of registration from)
The awarding panel will hold a meeting to review the evidence presented by the steering group and decide if it is appropriate to award accreditation. Accredited groups will be issued with recognition stickers that they can give to organisations that wish to be part of the scheme and have pledged their organisational actions.
Documents – Recognition Certificate(s) & window stickers to be issued by the awarding panel
The steering group are responsible for monitoring their progress to present to the panel at each review date. An initial review will take place 6 monthsafter accreditation, then at 12 months and once a year after that. The panel will review accreditation status at each review. Any new or ongoing actions will be identified to make sure they meet the needs of the community.
Documents – Action Plan & Progress Log
Documents
Becoming a Dementia Supportive Business & Community: A Practical Guide
Go to Bangor Universities webpage to access their ‘Becoming a Dementia Supportive Business & Community’ guide, as well as other useful resources.
The guide will help you to understand dementia and the challenges people encounter. It includes practical tips and useful information to enable you and your business or community to support people affected by dementia.
The guide was co-created with experts by experience who are living with a diagnosis of dementia working together with academics in dementia research at Bangor University.
Our Partners
Our 6 County Voluntary Councils, Medrwn Môn, Mantell Gwynedd, Community and Voluntary Support Conwy, Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council, Flintshire Local Voluntary Council, and Association of Voluntary Organisations in Wrexham ( AVOW) are key partners in promoting thriving communities across North Wales through voluntary action.
Adapted from the Alzheimer’s Society