Bristol law firm Barcan+Kirby marked Dementia Awareness Week last week by taking the number of ‘dementia friends’ it has created in the city to an incredible 245.
The milestone was reached when the firm’s dementia friends champion, senior associate Anna Molter, visited Bromley Heath Junior School to hold information sessions for pupils, teachers and parents.
The Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Friends programme supports the creation of dementia-friendly communities that will help people living with dementia feel valued, understood and able to participate in everyday life.
The information sessions are aimed at giving people a better understanding of what dementia is, how it affects people and how best to support those living with the condition.
Anna said: “The children were so receptive and came up with some very thoughtful and considered ideas for helping people with dementia.
“This is something that is likely to affect all of us at some time in our lives, whether through friends and family or through people we meet in our local communities. Giving our children an understanding of the condition and the ways they can help is really important.”
Barcan+Kirby first gave its support to the campaign last September and since then has been committed to raising the profile of the initiative by holding information sessions for its own employees and those from businesses and organisations across Bristol, including Close Brothers, Sovereign Financial Advisers, independent finance advisors Hart Greaves and solicitors Henriques Griffiths.
Barcan+Kirby has implemented a number of practical measures to support clients and their families living with the condition as part of its commitment to the Dementia Friends initiative. It has produced ‘dementia-friendly’ versions of key pieces of literature and put up clear signage in its seven offices, including footsteps to mark routes to reception.
The firm believes that providing services such as these will become increasingly more important as life expectancy continues to increase – the Alzheimer’s Society predicts that 1m people are expected to be living with dementia in the UK by 2025.
Anna also visited the South West Dementia Brain Bank at Southmead Hospital, a laboratory dedicated to dementia research. She spent several hours at the centre speaking with doctors and researchers carrying out cutting-edge research into the condition.
She said: “The work being carried out at the South West Dementia Brain Bank is phenomenal. It was fascinating to find out exactly how the disease affects different parts of the brain.
“We also heard how dependent they are on charitable donations to help fund the research and so I’m delighted that we are supporting BRACE this year, one of the charities that contribute to the work being carried out there.
“As an ageing population we must accept that the needs of our society are changing and we, as individuals, as communities and as businesses need to react and adapt to this. Together we need to find ways in which we can help people living with dementia feel valued, understood and able to participate in everyday life.
“Becoming dementia friendly has inspired us to adapt better working practices and create an environment where people living with the condition will feel at ease.
“We’ve been delighted that so many other businesses have also recognised the value in learning more about dementia and the ways that they, and their employees, can support those living with the condition.”
Anna is also a trustee of Bristol Dementia Action Alliance (BDAA), which supports those living with the disease and their families. Barcan+Kirby this year made BDAA one its charities of the year, along with BRACE.
Barcan+Kirby managing partner Bill Wilcocks said: “We are extremely proud of our involvement in the Dementia Friends campaign. The response, both from our own employees and businesses within our local communities, has been extremely positive and we have already noticed the impact it has had on the way we work with clients.
“We will continue to support this vital campaign and would urge all businesses to consider offering dementia friends sessions as part of their induction and training process. By working together we can have a huge impact on the quality of life of those living with dementia in our local communities.”
Pictured: Some of the ideas pupils at Bromley Heath Junior School came up with for helping people living with dementia
