WORK to create Dementia-Friendly Communities in Denholme, Cullingworth and Wilsden have been highlighted to councillors.

Shipley Area Committee discussed joint work by council staff, residents and the Alzheimer’s Society to help villages better support people with dementia and their carers.

In 2013 the charity offered to work with villages to raise awareness, spearhead community events and encourage dementia-friendly action groups.

In Denholme, the Town Council has been leading on the Dementia Friendly Communities initiative and has links to groups in the community.

A monthly Wellbeing Café is held at Denholme Mechanics Institute for people living with dementia and their carers, providing a programme of

entertainment, social activities, guest speakers, and advice and support.

It is supported by the Council’s Adult Services team through the Bradford and District Warmer Homes Healthy Initiative.

In Wilsden, the Lead Nurse for Dementia from Bradford Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has helped with plans for a dementia-friendly community and helped establish a group in the village.

Wilsden also hosts a monthly Wellbeing Café which is held at St Matthew’s Church.

The Alzheimer’s Society is keen to involve school children in the Dementia Friends initiative.

In Cullingworth many children have taken part in Dementia Friends sessions, and 120 new Friends have from the school have been registered.

The Alzheimer's Society is also working with local medical centres, and supporting organisations and businesses that wish to become dementia friendly.

The charity hopes that by 2020 half of people across the UK will be living in a dementia-friendly community.

Communities working towards Dementia-Friendly status should choose at least three out of eight action areas to work on.

These are: arts, culture, leisure and recreation; businesses and shops; children, young people and students;community, voluntary, faith groups and organizations; emergency services; health and social care; housing; and transport.