THREE Worcestershire communities have received recognition from Alzheimer’s Society for their work to become more dementia friendly.

After working hard to improve the loves of people living with dementia, Evesham Dementia Action Alliance (DAA), Kidderminster DAA and Ombersley DAA all applied to Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Friendly Communities.

Supported by the Alzheimer’s Society’s Side by Side Project, the entrants had to offer evidence of their dementia work and the effect it has had on their community.

They have been officially awarded the title of Working towards becoming Dementia Friendly which marks an important step in a community’s transition.

In Evesham, community members first came together to launch Evesham’s campaign to become a Dementia Friendly Town in March 2016.

They were soon followed by members of the Kidderminster community who wanted to raise awareness of dementia and make a similar difference for their town.

Both towns publicly launched their campaigns in August by hosting the Alzheimer’s Society Roadshow Bus, providing advice and information to members of the public about how best to deal with dementia.

Despite only launching its campaign in the summer and having a much smaller community, there is plenty of support and enthusiasm within Ombersley for making a difference.

Within the space of three months, 65 members of the Ombersley community have become Dementia Friends.

Gill Read, services manager for Alzheimer’s Society said: "Thank you to these three communities who have worked so hard to gain recognition as working towards becoming dementia friendly. This will make a huge difference to ensuring every single person living with dementia is understood, respected and supported, and confident they can contribute to community life.”

To find out more about how Side by Side is helping to support the creation of Dementia Friendly Communities, the Dementia Action Alliance and Worcestershire Services for people affected by dementia please contact Worcestershire@alzheimers.org.uk or call the Worcestershire Office on 01905 621868.