MARIE Curie charity shops across Wales – including Penarth - are taking action to become Dementia Friendly – ensuring the stores and their services are even more welcoming and accessible for people living with dementia, and those caring for them.

Becoming Dementia Friendly is part of Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Friendly Communities initiative, where people living with dementia are supported to remain integrated and maintain skills and independence throughout their lives.

As part of the process of becoming Dementia Friendly, staff members across all 8 of the Marie Curie charity shops in Wales, including the Windsor Road store, also became registered Dementia Friends with Alzheimer’s Society.

Marie Curie’s commitment to building dementia friendly communities extends to working with local businesses and organisations across Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan to develop their own dementia friendly action plans.

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This work is based on a partnership between Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Cardiff Council, Vale Council and Alzheimer’s Society Cymru.

Neil Lias, Area Manager of the Marie Curie charity shops based in Wales, said: “I’m really proud to be able to say that we have now gained ‘Working to become Dementia Friendly recognition’ across all of stores in Wales.

"It was such an eye-opening process and a real learning experience for us all.

"It has given us another opportunity to really integrate our stores within the local community, helped by our increased understanding of the needs of our customers who are living with dementia - and of how we can support them when using our services."

For further information or to find out more about becoming a Dementia Friendly business or organisation, please email the Dementia Friendly Communities Coordinator for Cardiff and the Vale: ingrid.patterson@mariecurie.org.uk.