AQuA Staff become Dementia Friends

AQuA Staff with Dementia Friends pledge cards.

The Advancing Quality Alliance (AQuA) was delighted to welcome volunteers from the Alzheimer’s Society, to deliver a series of Dementia Friends Information Sessions to increase staff awareness of the disease.

Taking place ahead of Dementia Awareness Week 2016, these sessions form part of the Alzheimer’s Society national campaign to create dementia-friendly communities and confront misconceptions. Leading the training was Sheelagh Machin, one of AQuA’s Lived Experience Affiliates and volunteer for the Alzheimer’s Society.

During the sessions, staff took part in talks and discussions about the disease to help understand the condition better, and dispel some of the stigma and myths associated with dementia. Staff were also encouraged to become Dementia Friends by pledging to raise awareness amongst friends, family and other colleagues.

Sheelagh also spoke about her own personal experience of caring for both of her parents who were diagnosed with dementia.

AQuA Director Elizabeth Bradbury said: “Our session was an hour well spent. We really connected with the topic of dementia, and what this means for each one of us personally, particularly with many staff touching on their own experiences of the condition.”

“It also gave us the chance to think about our professional roles supporting dementia, and reflect on the implications for some of our work with AQuA members.”

With 35 staff now trained as Dementia Friends, all staff thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the training and learning more about dementia.  AQuA also welcomed the chance to take our first step towards becoming a dementia friendly organisation.