Alan Mak MP has backed Emsworth’s bid to become a “dementia friendly high street.”
Mak becomes a “Dementia Friend” following training with the Emsworth Business Association, inspired by the News campaign.
Havant MP Alan Mak has backed business owners in Emsworth who want to make their high street dementia friendly, in a first for the Solent region.
Mak has showed his commitment by becoming a “Dementia Friend” himself after receiving training to spot the signs of dementia, having been inspired by the News campaign to raise awareness of dementia.
Mak joined Emsworth Business Association members for a training session on Friday 13 November 2015 at the Brookfield Hotel.
Emsworth Business Association is leading efforts to train local shop owners and staff to spot signs of dementia in customers. 20 businesses must sign up before the town can declare it's high street dementia friendly. Currently 15 have joined the venture, including the Blue Bell Inn pub, the Brookfield Hotel and the Driftwood cafe.
Caroline McKeever, Dementia Friend trainer and dementia expert, led the training session. The training included an overview of the types of dementia, appropriate use of language when dealing with those living with dementia, and practical steps to help people spot signs of dementia.
Mak is also backing the News campaign on dementia, and supports their three pledges.
Alan Mak said, "I'm proud to back Emsworth high street's ambition to become dementia friendly. Our local high streets and businesses need to be open to everyone, including those living with dementia, so the Emsworth Business Association’s leadership on this issue is very admirable. The News campaign to raise awareness of dementia has also inspired me to become a “Dementia Friend" and I found the training enjoyable and informative. I encourage others to become “Dementia Friends” too”.
Mak added, "Dementia affects people young and old, and we need to change people's perceptions of those living with dementia. Declaring a dementia friendly high street in Emsworth will be a valuable contribution towards that goal and I hope other high streets and communities will follow Emsworth's example."
Giles Babb, Emsworth Business Association Chairman, said "We're delighted local MP Alan Mak is supporting our efforts to become one of the region's first dementia friendly high streets. I'm impressed that Alan is getting involved in a practical way by getting dementia-trained alongside our local business owners and shopworkers. Emsworth is well on the way to becoming a dementia friendly high street, and I hope more businesses will support us"
2,031 people live with dementia in Havant, whilst across Hampshire alone there are around 20,000 people with dementia, and a 30% increase in diagnosed cases is expected over the next 7 years. Most people already know somebody who has dementia, either a member of their family, someone in their neighbourhood or in their professional and social networks.
As the ‘baby boomers’ live longer, more of them will experience dementia – though not always in old age as early-onset dementia can affect people in their forties.
ENDS
Photo caption: Alan Mak MP (in suit) with Giles Babb, Chairman of Emsworth Business Association (in blue jeans) and staff from Blue Bell Inn and Brookfield Hotel at the Dementia Friends training course. All have now become “Dementia Friends”