Aylesbury has always had the community close to its heart, and nothing is more telling than our success in becoming a Dementia-Friendly Community.

The launch of The Prime Minister’s Challenge on Dementia 2020 initiated a real drive to help people develop a better understanding of the impact Dementia has in communities, villages, towns and cities; at both individual and community levels.

Aylesbury Town Council dived ‘feet first’ into this initiative and took it upon themselves to help increase understanding about a condition that is sure to affect all of us at some point  in our lifetime.

In 2016, Aylesbury Town became officially recognised by the Alzheimer’s Society as a town with a Dementia-Friendly Community, which is a great achievement, but what does that actually mean and involve?

The programme is continuous and ever evolving. Our designated Dementia Champion has created over 2,300 Dementia Friends through workshops which continue to be delivered to town councillors, local businesses, schools, community groups and charities;  allowing participants to understand 5 key messages about living in a dementia-positive community. The most important message is to recognise that a person can live well with Dementia, and how small acts of kindness and simply slowing down can have a direct benefit.  This is reflected in many of the activities we are involved in.

The Town Council actively works with residents and businesses to take a more person-centred approach to supporting our community. We host Dementia-friendly tea parties and screenings at the Waterside Theatre,  create Dementia Friends at landmark banks in Market Square, promote our local market with traders who have signed a Dementia Friends pledge and share details of local events that help support the drive towards social prescribing.

As a Town Council, all members of staff are Dementia Friends and they understand the importance of being vigilant to the needs of those who may need extra support.  This covers the entire workforce from the outdoor team to the event crew – everyone who meets the public at any time through the course of their work.

Our focus as a town has always been about taking a “holding hands” approach, and along with Bucks County Council and Aylesbury Vale District Council, Aylesbury Town Council have even more Dementia Champions delivering these key messages within our community. There are now over 30 members on the Aylesbury Town Dementia Action Alliance, including Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury Town Centre Partnership, The Royal British Legion, MetroBank and Skipton Building Society, amongst others.

A small action really can help make a huge difference.

If you would like to become a Dementia Friend, find out about more of our work or join the Aylesbury Town Dementia Action Alliance, please contact our Dementia Friends Champion at info@aylesburytowncouncil.gov.uk or phone 01296 425 678.