Sheffield students set to launch event with aim of making city ‘more dementia friendly’

A student-led project aiming to make Sheffield a more dementia-friendly city is set to launch tomorrow with an event showcasing a scheme for local businesses.

The Dementia-Friendly Sheffield Action Group event follows months of work and is part of Sheffield SU’s Festival for Social Action week. This is led by Change Labs, which the group is part of.

The students are also working with AgeUK and Sheffield Dementia Action Alliance (SDDA) to support the implementation of these organisations’ dementia-friendly recommendations for local businesses in the area.

Over 7,000 people in Sheffield are living with dementia, as per research by the group.

Gainizhan Abzhanova, a member of the action group, told The Sheffield Tab the aim was for “equal opportunities” and access in the city.

Gainizhan added: “It is really important that they have access to services that they enjoy – no matter their medical condition.

“And we think this programme also helps carers of people with dementia so that they will have some kind of support whilst caring for them.

“It would have a very positive impact on their lives, the lives of their families, and society overall.”

A “Bronze” toolkit for businesses by Age UK sets out changes such as staff wearing name badges, using analogue clocks with the day and date on them, and having one employee designated the role of dementia ambassador.

The event will take place between 4.30pm and 5.30pm tomorrow (Wednesday 26th March) in the SU Committee Central.

Featured image from Google Maps / Dementia-Friendly Sheffield Action Group