Eighteen organisations have been awarded their Dementia Friendly accreditations of window stickers and certificates. The Dementia Friendly Congleton group held its first Business Awards at Congleton Town Hall on Tuesday 17th September 2019, where presentations were made by the Deputy Town Mayor, Councillor Denis Murphy, later joined by the Town Mayor, Councillor Sally Ann Holland.
Diane Ritherdon, Chair of the Dementia Friendly Steering Group welcomed representatives from the successful organisations and thanked them for the work they had put into achieving Dementia Friendliness.
To achieve recognition, organisations had to hold a Dementia Friendly Awareness Session for their staff (employees and volunteers) and to have an audit of their premises to identify improvements to make them more accessible, especially to those living with dementia, such as improved signage and access. For organisations without premises or those unable to alter their premises, an alternative criterion is in place, relating to organising or hosting Dementia Friendly Sessions.
The steering group was the first to achieve this level as it enters its second year. Diane Ritherdon, herself a Dementia Friends Champion who runs many of the sessions said “We hope this will encourage more organisations to work towards achieving this level.”
The eighteen businesses invited to the Dementia Business Awards were: Bear Grills, Butters John Bee, Chris Hamriding Lettings & Estate Agents, Congleton Library, Congleton Lions, Congleton Museum, Congleton Veterinary Centre, Co-op Funeral Care, Gather of Cheshire, Innovations, Lawton House Surgery, Musical Moments, New Life Church, Old Saw Mill, The Castle Inn, Three Way Travel, Top Nosh and Wild & Wild.
For more information, contact Mike Smith, tel: 01260 270350 ext 7 or email: Mike.Smith@congleton-tc.gov.uk
