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Dementia friendly Cowbridge & Cowbridge Rotary

More Cowbridge Traders pledge to become Dementia friendly

Three more Cowbridge businesses have recently signed up to work towards becoming Dementia friendly.

JCP Solicitors, Capel Jones gift shop and Specsavers received their mats, donated by Cowbridge Rotary club to mark their pledge to consider the needs of those living with dementia and their carers.

Dementia friendly Cowbridge is encouraging all traders to assist in helping to make Cowbridge a safe and welcoming community for those living with dementia.

Dementia Friendly Cowbridge Official Launch Day

Dementia Friendly Cowbridge (“DFC”) was officially launched by the Mayor of Cowbridge Councillor Terry Williams on Friday 25 May. Speakers included The Secretary of State for Wales, Alan Cairns MP, Jane Hutt AM, Alan RT Davies AM, David Melding AM and David Harris President of Cowbridge Rotary who presented a cheque to The Alzheimer’s Society.

Rotarian Steven Blackman, Chairman of Dementia Friendly Cowbridge outlined DFC’s objectives which are to help build a more Dementia Friendly Community and provide support and information for people living with Dementia, their families and carers in Cowbridge.

The event was held in Cowbridge Lesser Hall with experts and local support organisations including The Medical practices, Admiral Nurses, Alzheimer’s Society, Keep Safe, The Memory Jar, Golden Oldies Cinema, Age Connects, JCP Solicitors and other social and friendship activities in Cowbridge. There was also time for plenty of tea and cake in a supportive and friendly environment. 

DFC was started as a joint initiative between Liz George former Mayor of Cowbridge and Steven Blackman when he was President of Cowbridge Rotary. Last year Cowbridge Rotary raised in excess of £6000 which was generously matched by the Waterloo Foundation to enable a cheque to be presented to Alzheimer’s Research for over £12000. This is in addition to over £4000 Rotary has raised in the past 5 years for Alzheimer’s charities.

One of DFC’s initiatives includes signing up local businesses and organisations to work towards becoming more Dementia friendly. Rotarian Colin Jones came up with the idea of providing a brightly coloured entrance mat to signify that the business had signed up and made a pledge. He found a supplier and a sponsor who provided £2500 to cover the cost of providing the mats. DFC and Rotary have 14 mats in place and 10 pending.

Each business has made a donation for these mats and the collected funds of £443 were presented to The Alzheimer’s Society by Rotary president David Harris during proceeding at The DFC official launch Day.

It rained all day during the launch but this did not prevent intrepid Rotarians from manning The Rotary gazebo publicising the event and directing the public towards the indoor activities.

Rotary support for Cowbridge Dementia Friends

Cowbridge businesses receiving their new Dementia Friends mats.

Cowbridge businesses have begun to sign up as Dementia Friends, working to become dementia friendly. Last Friday a number of businesses were presented with door mats which broadcast their support.

The Cowbridge Dementia Friendly Community Committee is asking individuals and businesses in Cowbridge to be even more considerate of those living with Dementia and their carers. The Committee is running a number of Dementia awareness sessions produced by The Alzheimer’s Society in order to become a Dementia Friend.

Cowbridge Rotary Club is actively supporting the initiative. One of its members, Colin Jones has secured the production of brightly coloured mats from Millennium Mats to both record businesses’ support and to demonstrate welcome to those living with Dementia.

David Harris, President of Cowbridge Rotary Club and Steven Blackman Chairman of Cowbridge Dementia Friendly Community presented mats to Amanda Jones Jewellers, Arthur John Hardware, The Bear Hotel, Costa Coffee, Cowbridge Cycles, HSBC, Cowbridge Library, United Free Church, Fulgo Developments and Cowbridge Town Council

There are over 850,000 in The UK with Dementia and possible many more undiagnosed.

Cardiff University plays a major role in the UK’s biggest dementia research initiative with their £13m dementia research centre established earlier this year. 

Public health Wales has a six step strategy to help reduce Dementia Risk including being physically and socially active.