Springhill Care has partnered up with community services across East Lancashire to help pioneer dementia care awareness.
Springhill Care Group, based in Accrington, has teamed up with members of The Hyndburn Dementia Action Alliance (HDAA), a local association of the national Dementia Action Alliance (DAA).
This is a collaborative scheme helping to change the way that people feel about dementia and improve the lives of people living with dementia.
Victoria Huntriss, Health and Wellbeing Lead at Springhill Care Home, said that by working together, the local community can make a difference to those living with and those affected by dementia.
She said: “This partnership means we can get up-to-date information about what is available in the community so that we can take residents along to events or make links with people who can bring events to us.
“We already have some ideas of how we can work together, and this will help make sure that we don’t forget this part of the community. We can also signpost any carers or anybody who comes along to our dementia cafes towards this group that we are currently developing to offer local support.
Nationally, there are 7340 members of the DAA with 357 local alliances aiming to encourage partnerships, raise awareness within the community and provide up-to-date quality dementia training.
Partners supporting the programme include: Action For Dementia, Carers Link Lancashire, Diocese of Blackburn, East Lancashire Teaching Hospital Trust, Home Instead East Lancashire, Homewise Society Ltd, Hyndburn & Ribble Valley CVS, Hyndburn Borough Council, Lancashire Constabulary, NHS East Lancashire CCG, Woodcocks Haworth and Nuttall Solicitors and Hyndburn Community Fire Safety Team.
Lyndsay Wheatcroft, of the Hyndburn Dementia Action Alliance, said: “We are working together to radically improve the lives of people living with dementia and their carers and this is a pioneering community initiative.
“We urge any organisation in Hyndburn who is interested in becoming more dementia friendly to get in touch and see how they can be involved. It is free to join, and we ask members to complete a brief action plan setting out what they can do to make a difference to people living with dementia and their carers.”
Photograph - Victoria Huntriss (centre) of Springhill Care with Holly Hartley of Homewise (left) and Lyndsay Wheatcroft (right)
