Businesses urged to make Northampton dementia friendly community

A 'Memory Day' will be held at the Grosvenor Shopping Centre on 21 September - open to all - with information about dementia, support and training to help those interested in taking part become a ‘Dementia Friend’.

Representatives from local companies were informed of the support businesses in the town and wider county can receive in order to make themselves more ‘dementia aware’ at a recent meeting chaired at the University of Northampton.

Leaders from HSBC, Northampton Borough Council and social care publisher Care Choices Ltd were also on hand to share stories of their success doing this and spoke about the ease with which other businesses could do the same.

Jackie Parkes, Professor in Applied Mental Health at the University of Northampton and who is the University’s dementia lead, said: “At present, there are an estimated 7,700 people living with dementia, but this number is projected to increase by 45% by the year 2030.

“In time, dementia will affect everybody in some way so it’s important we take steps in the county to positively prepare ourselves."

“Local businesses can do much to help customers who have dementia and with relatively little effort. We ask them to get on board with our Memory Day by helping to spread the word or get in touch with us and sponsor what will be an enlightening and fun day.”

A full strategy to help make Northampton a ‘dementia friendly’ town will be published in November 2017.

Business interested in lending valuable support for the ‘Memory Day’ should email: [email protected]

Find out more about the University of Northampton’s dementia work.