BUSINESSES and organisations across the Malvern Hills are being asked to display stickers in their windows to show they are dementia-friendly.

The free stickers will show that the business is taking steps to make sure people living with the condition are understood, respected and supported.

This move comes after the district was recognised by the Alzheimer’s Society as working to become a dementia-friendly community after a number of organisations joined together to hold a series of activities in the area.

During 2018, Malvern Dementia Action Alliance, a group made up of organisations across the area, met quarterly and planned a series of activities.

This included distributing free leaflets to help over 50 businesses become more dementia-friendly and also running six dementia friends sessions, creating over 100 new dementia friends.

The information leaflets offered ideas on how to take small steps to become more dementia friendly, from something as simple as being more patient in a shop queue to campaigning for change.

Rachel Vann, health and wellbeing officer at Malvern Hills District Council, said: “Displaying the stickers is a great start for local businesses and organisations to take that step to becoming more dementia-friendly and we hope more get involved.

“It is great to see more and more people becoming dementia friends making a positive difference to people living with dementia in the Malvern Hills. It's easy to get involved and shows how simple steps can ensure people living with the condition are respected and supported.”

Lorna Regan, wellbeing advisor at Fortis Living, said: “We are pleased to be supporting dementia friendly initiatives in the Malvern Hills area. As an organisation, we have taken steps to make sure we are working in a dementia-friendly way.”

ENDS

Pictured: Rachel Vann, Lorna Regan, Dawn Jarrett, who has dementia, and Cllr David Watkins, portfolio holder for housing and communities.