Dementia Friendly Hexham- launching tomorrow

Tomorrow (Monday 22nd January, 5.30pm-7pm) is the official launch of Dementia Friendly Hexham by the Tynedale Dementia Action Alliance at Prior's Hall at Hexham Abbey. The event is aimed at shops and businesses, with organisers hoping around 120 businesses will attend, although everyone is welcome. It is hoped that the initiative will make Hexham a more welcoming place for people with memory problems. Part of the project will involve training in how to better meet the needs of customers with dementia, and information packs will be distributed around businesses as part of Monday's event containing 'Working towards becoming Dementia Friendly' stickers for shops and cafes to display to show their support for the initiative. The Adapt cafe in Hexham will also be the location for the regular Hexham 'Memory Cafe'. The project is not just for people with dementia though- anyone with mental health illnesses or loneliness are also encouraged to come along.

There is plenty planned for the coming months as well. On Saturday 3rd March, DFH will be hosting a day-long Stepping into Spring event at Hexham Abbey. The Alzheimer's Society will be there, along with Lloyd's, Barclay's and many more businesses to show what they are doing in Hexham and to make a pledge. The Tynedale Dementia Action Alliance will also be launched, covering the area from Ponteland to Haltwhistle.

I have met with Dementia Friendly Hexham organiser Melvyn Stone many times in the past - pictured below with County Councillor Nick Oliver and I - and I know how passionate everyone involved in the project is about making Hexham a more welcoming place for people with dementia. This is a fantastic initiative dedicated to ensuring that dementia sufferers remain a part of the community, and I wish everyone involved the best of luck with the launch tomorrow and beyond.

http://www.visitcorbridge.co.uk/business/charity/dementia-friendly-corbridge/

https://www.alzheimers.org.uk