The Diocese of Wrexham has been awarded 'Working Towards being a Dementia Friendly Diocese' - the First Diocese in Wales and only the second in the United Kingdom.
Dementia Friendly Communities is a programme run by the Alzheimer's Society, which facilitates the creation of dementia-friendly communities across the UK.
Everyone, from governments and health boards to the local corner shop and hairdresser, share part of the responsibility for ensuring that people with dementia feel understood, valued and able to contribute to their community. The Alzheimer's Society state that people living with Dementia are often happier if they can live supported and independently in their own homes for longer.
The Diocese has established a steering group which is supported by the clergy and Bishop Peter Brignall. Mrs Margaret Hinton (Diocesan Marriage & Family Life coordinator) and Deacon Steve Davies have taken the lead to drive forward the Diocesan Plan and will be delivering 'Dementia Friendly Information Sessions' in every Parish throughout the Diocese.
Margaret stated that she is receiving a very positive response from parishes around the diocese who are booking dementia friendly information sessions. 'Being dementia-friendly means that people have to change in both their expectation and their approach so that those who are on the sometimes long journey into dementia can still feel part of the church community for as long as is possible.'
Bishop Peter Brignall said 'We are encouraging parishes to engage with Dementia Friendly Community initiatives across the whole of North Wales'.
Last month, The Church of the Immaculate Conception in Flint was awarded 'Working Towards being Dementia Friendly', which is the first Parish of the Diocese of Wrexham.
Dementia Friendly Communities is a programme run by the Alzheimer's Society, which facilitates the creation of dementia-friendly communities across the UK.
Everyone, from governments and health boards to the local corner shop and hairdresser, share part of the responsibility for ensuring that people with dementia feel understood, valued and able to contribute to their community. The Alzheimer's Society state that people living with Dementia are often happier if they can live supported and independently in their own homes for longer.
The Diocese has established a steering group which is supported by the clergy and Bishop Peter Brignall. Mrs Margaret Hinton (Diocesan Marriage & Family Life coordinator) and Deacon Steve Davies have taken the lead to drive forward the Diocesan Plan and will be delivering 'Dementia Friendly Information Sessions' in every Parish throughout the Diocese.
Margaret stated that she is receiving a very positive response from parishes around the diocese who are booking dementia friendly information sessions. 'Being dementia-friendly means that people have to change in both their expectation and their approach so that those who are on the sometimes long journey into dementia can still feel part of the church community for as long as is possible.'
Bishop Peter Brignall said 'We are encouraging parishes to engage with Dementia Friendly Community initiatives across the whole of North Wales'.
Last month, The Church of the Immaculate Conception in Flint was awarded 'Working Towards being Dementia Friendly', which is the first Parish of the Diocese of Wrexham.
