We have received a “Working to become a Dementia Friendly Community” accreditation from the Alzheimer’s Society for a fifth consecutive year.

To receive this accreditation, we were assessed on our dementia work within the community, which is led by our Dementia Champion and Communities Officer, Benedicta Lasoye.

The work we do continues to help people to connect with a condition that is likely to impact us all in our lifetime – personally or by association. Reducing the stigma associated with dementia has always been a driving force within their work, and one conversation at a time, this is happening in Aylesbury town.

Having delivered over 95 sessions and leading to the creation of more than 2,500 Dementia Friends since 2016, the we have received support and collaborated with local organisations and groups including Waterside Theatre, Skipton Building Society, Aylesbury Market Traders, Aylesbury Library, Metro Bank, Bucks Museum, Friars Square and Hale Leys retail management, Thames Valley Police (Aylesbury), Vale of Aylesbury Housing and Aylesbury Waitrose.

Dementia Friendly logo 2021
Dementia Friendly Security at Hale Leys
Launch of Dementia Friendly Aylesbury
Dementia Friendly Waitrose Aylesbury
Friars Square team are Dementia Friends

By delivering information sessions to younger people in Aylesbury schools and colleges, we have created ‘new teachers’ and advocates of the Dementia Friends initiative. A Dementia Friend learns about what it’s like to live with dementia and then turns that understanding into action.

The purpose of these sessions are to share five key messages to help people understand dementia better. These are:

1) Dementia is not a natural part of ageing.

2) Dementia is caused by diseases of the brain.

3) Dementia is not just about losing your memory

4) It is possible to live well with dementia

5) There is more to the person than dementia

The Town Council also support groups and businesses who want to know how they can make positive changes to a person with dementia and the people who care for them – from changing opening hours, to making signage clearer all of these small actions make a huge difference.

The Mayor of Aylesbury, Cllr Mike Smith, said: “Benedicta has been amazing in delivering our Dementia Friends sessions. She works tirelessly to connect with everyone she meets, whether she knows them or not, which has led to the successes we have today. As Town Mayor, along with all the Town Councillors, the Town Clerk and officers we have nothing but pride for her dedication and she has proved to be a great asset to our community work.”

Level 1 Social Care Students Dementia Friends with The Mayor of Aylesbury
School children have become Dementia Friends
Haydon Abbey are Dementia Friends
Thames Valley PCSO's

Further information

Find out more about how we are creating dementia friendly communities by clicking here. 

If you or someone you know might need dementia support, please contact the Dementia Connect Support Line by calling 0333 150 3456 or click here for Dementia Connect Support Line FAQs. For support for carers contact Carers Bucks on 0330 777 2722 or click here to visit Carers Bucks website.