Law Firm Helps Newbury Become More Dementia Friendly

Staff from law firm Irwin Mitchell’s Newbury office are helping to make the town more dementia friendly by launching the Newbury Dementia Friendly Community Forum (NDFCF).

In partnership with the West Berkshire Dementia Action Alliance (WBDAA) the firm is supporting the launch of the NDFCF which is working to help people to live well with dementia in our community.

The forum brings together businesses and community members to look at ways to make changes that introduce new activities and social opportunities for people living with dementia and their carers.

Ben Saunders and Stewart Stretton-Hill, experts in elderly and vulnerable client issues at Irwin Mitchell, are heavily involved in the NDFCF and WBDAA and want to encourage other local businesses to talk to them about how they can contribute to this fantastic initiative. 

They say that it is important to remember that no action is too small to make a difference.

Ben, is chairing the NDFCF meetings. He is a Dementia Friends Champion, trained by the Alzheimer’s Society to encourage others to become Dementia Friends, so that they understand how to help people living with dementia.

Ben said: “Newbury is already doing a lot of good work to help people living with dementia but we know from speaking to community members that a lot more could be done throughout West Berkshire.

“Launching the forum is a great way to get local business representatives and members of the public together to try and work out ways to make the town more dementia friendly. 

“There are some very simple actions that we can all take that will make a big difference.”

Stewart, one of the firm’s Senior Associate solicitors and a Dementia Friend, is chairing the WBDAA. The local forums across West Berkshire have representation at these meetings. 

Expert Opinion

There are a number of forums across West Berkshire and the idea is that these will work together with the West Berkshire Dementia Action Alliance to look at making positive changes for people affected by dementia. Stewart Stretton-Hill - Senior Associate Solicitor

The NDFCF is now meeting once a month and Irwin Mitchell staff supported a wonderful reminiscence afternoon tea with singing and music from the past at the Fairclose Day Centre, last week. 

Attendees were delighted with the event saying they had lots of fun. This is just one of the types of social initiatives that can really improve the lives of those living with dementia.

Expert Opinion

This is just one of the types of social initiatives that can really improve the lives of those living with dementia.
Stewart Stretton-Hill - Senior Associate Solicitor