THE Basildon Dementia Action Alliance's efforts have been recognised with the awarding of the "Working to become a Dementia Friendly Community" accreditation from the Alzheimer's Society.

A dementia-friendly community is a city, town or village where people with dementia are understood, respected and supported, so that people with dementia can continue to live in the way they want to and in the community they choose.

The accreditation is awarded for criteria including raising awareness of Dementia in the community, involving people affected by dementia in decision making, and identifying key areas for local action to better the lives of those living with Dementia. It's given based upon what the borough has achieved and what it is planning to do going forward.

The Basildon Dementia Action Alliance is a group led by Basildon Council, made up of relevant partner organisations to ensure we are meeting the needs of people with dementia living in our borough, including influencing dementia support across all council services such as customer service, building design, and co-designing services.

Cllr Jeff Henry, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing, Leisure, Arts and Culture and Council Representative on the Basildon Dementia Action Alliance said "The Basildon Dementia Action Alliance have been working closely with the Alzheimer's Society and other key stakeholders to identify and improve the services people with dementia use in the borough.

"The BDAA has been doing great work with local schools, health, public transport providers, and the emergency services, to help meet the needs of people affected by dementia. It affects one in three of us - so it's important that as much awareness is raised as possible so people of all ages understand the illness.

"This accreditation is our recognition for the group's hard work so far - and we'll continue our effort to do the best we can for our residents living with dementia, their carers, and their families."

Mark Neville, Dementia Friendly Communities Coordinator for the Alzheimer's Society added: "Congratulations to everyone involved in creating a Dementia Friendly Community in the Basildon borough. This is a really important and exciting journey, with the aim of ensuring that residents living with dementia have the best and fullest lives possible"

A dementia-friendly community is a city, town or village where people with dementia are understood, respected and supported, so that people with dementia can continue to live in the way they want to and in the community they choose.

The accreditation is awarded for criteria including raising awareness of Dementia in the community, involving people affected by dementia in decision making, and identifying key areas for local action to better the lives of those living with Dementia. It's given based upon what the borough has achieved and what it is planning to do going forward.

The Basildon Dementia Action Alliance is a group led by Basildon Council, made up of relevant partner organisations to ensure we are meeting the needs of people with dementia living in our borough, including influencing dementia support across all council services such as customer service, building design, and co-designing services.

Cllr Jeff Henry, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing, Leisure, Arts and Culture and Council Representative on the Basildon Dementia Action Alliance said "The Basildon Dementia Action Alliance have been working closely with the Alzheimer's Society and other key stakeholders to identify and improve the services people with dementia use in the borough.

"The BDAA has been doing great work with local schools, health, public transport providers, and the emergency services, to help meet the needs of people affected by dementia. It affects one in three of us - so it's important that as much awareness is raised as possible so people of all ages understand the illness.

"This accreditation is our recognition for the group's hard work so far - and we'll continue our effort to do the best we can for our residents living with dementia, their carers, and their families."

Mark Neville, Dementia Friendly Communities Coordinator for the Alzheimer's Society added: "Congratulations to everyone involved in creating a Dementia Friendly Community in the Basildon borough. This is a really important and exciting journey, with the aim of ensuring that residents living with dementia have the best and fullest lives possible".