A GROUP aiming to make Keighley's environment more welcoming for people who have dementia has taken its inclusive message to the local restaurant trade.

Staff at Azeems Restaurant, in South Street, embarked on an awareness session which was run by Roy Williams from Dementia Friendly Keighley. (DFK)

Mr Williams said: "The Azeems staff were really interested in finding out more about the illness and how it might affect some of the people using their restaurant.

"They are also interested in seeing how their customers react to Azeems being the first Asian restaurant in Keighley working to becoming a Dementia Friendly establishment.

"Living with Dementia is not obvious to everyone. But by taking part in an awareness session run by Dementia Friendly Keighley the staff now feel they will be able to identify people with the condition more easily.

"This will help them to support individuals living with the disease when they visit the restaurant.

"People with dementia often feel embarrassed by their symptoms. They become reluctant to go out and do the normal things that everyone else does, and this can lead to loneliness and isolation.

"But knowing that Azeems have taken these first steps to becoming dementia friendly will reassure people that there is somewhere they can go out for a curry and be treated with patience, understanding and respect.

"An important message that DFK tries to get across is that it is possible to live well with dementia, especially in a dementia friendly community.

"Developing a better understanding of the illness is vital and attending a dementia friends session is a great way to start that process.

"One in fourteen people over the age of sixty-five has dementia at any one time. Our own group is trying to encourage more local restaurants to engage with gaining awareness of this disease, so eating out in Keighley becomes a dementia friendly experience wherever people go."

People who are interested in taking part in one of the Dementia Friendly awareness session can contact DFK to book a session, or get in touch with Mr Williams on 078463 41543.

DFK is based in the Airedale Shopping Centre's Brunswick Arcade. Its office opens on Mondays from 1pm to 4pm, Wednesdays from 10am to 4pm and on Fridays from 10am to 1pm.

The group also offers a drop-in service at its premises every Thursday from 10am to 12.30pm and from 1.30pm to 4pm.

Visit dementiafriendlykeighley.org.uk/ for more details.