COMPANIES involved in promoting dementia awareness on a rail route through Keighley have been praised for their support.

Tribute has been paid to both Arriva Rail North – parent company of train operator Northern – and Carlisle Support Services for their work to help improve the experience on the Bentham Line for passengers with dementia.

Framed certificates have been awarded by the Leeds-Morecambe Community Rail Partnership (CRP).

Over the past six months, staff at the firms have been undergoing training and were enrolled as ‘dementia friends’.

The sessions were led by CRP chairman Gerald Townson, vice-chairman Rod Tickner – from Keighley – and Bentham Line partnership officer Catherine Huddleston.

All three are Dementia Friends champions – an Alzheimer’s Society initiative, which aims to promote a positive approach enabling those with a dementia diagnosis to live well.

Mr Townson presented the certificates to John Kitching – Northern station manager in charge of ticket office staff at sites including Keighley – and Paul Kemp, of Carlisle Support Services, which provides gate-line and revenue-protection staff at stations.

The certificates will be displayed at the companies’ work offices to demonstrate staff’s involvement in the venture.

Mr Townson said: “I am pleased that we have been able to mark the positive involvement shown by both companies in allowing these vital frontline staff to attend the awareness-raising sessions.

“Almost 50 of the staff have attended and with volunteers and other groups, such as British Transport Police, the overall number attending is near 200.”

The CRP’s work with Arriva Rail North and Carlisle Support Services has won high praise.

Ian Davis, of the Association of Community Rail Partnerships (ACoRP), said: “It is a wonderful collaboration.

“ACoRP is delighted to support this major project, which creates an increased awareness of dementia and promotes inclusivity on the railway and in the communities along the route.

“I am looking forward to this extremely important initiative expanding beyond the Bentham Line.”

The Bentham Line, the working title for the Leeds-Morecambe Community Rail Partnership, was set-up in 2006 with the aim of improving services and developing community links along the route.

The line links Heysham and Morecambe on the west coast with Leeds, via Lancaster, Carnforth, Skipton and the Airedale route through Keighley.

The CRP’s management group – which meets quarterly – includes representatives from local authorities, rail companies and user groups.

For more details about the partnership, visit leedslancastermorecambecrp.co.uk.