Dementia Friendly Communities
‘Putting People First’, Mid and East Antrim’s first Community Plan was published on 31 March 2017, since then, work has got underway to deliver on the actions and outcomes identified.
Responding to our ageing population is a strategic priority within the Plan and therefore working towards making our borough Dementia Friendly is a key priority. Larne was identified as a good starting point as they already have a Dementia Support Group which meets once per month at the Prom Café.
Almost 100 people representing 42 Larne businesses have taken part in training to make the town a ‘dementia friendly community’.
As part of our Community Plan in action, the training encourages the entire community to ensure people with dementia feel understood, valued and able to contribute. This can help those affected to continue taking part in their normal activities and help them maintain their independence for longer.
We would like to thank the businesses for allowing staff the time to take part, as well as to John McErlane of Dementia NI, who gave a first-hand account of what it is like living with a diagnosis. We were inspired by his words and by the community spirit of all those who attended.
We are working on plans to connect dementia groups in other towns and villages throughout the Borough, and to roll out the Dementia Friendly Town training to Carrickfergus and Ballymena areas.