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Four Rivers Dementia Alliance

Building Dementia Friendly Communities

Communities in the 4 Rivers Dementia Alliance area

Working to build inclusive dementia friendly communities through our parish and town councils

A dementia friendly community is a city, town or village where people living with dementia and their families are understood, respected and supported, and confident they can continue to contribute to community life. In a dementia-friendly community, people will be aware of and understand dementia. People living with dementia will feel included and involved and have choice and control over their day-to-day lives.

"Rural local councils can build strong, vibrant, and resilient communities which deliver an ever-growing, more ambitious and innovative range of activities…" National Association of Local Councils Guidance


Town, parish councils and local groups, organisations and businesses can promote becoming inclusive dementia friendly communities by:

  • Shaping communities and organisations around the views of people with dementia,  their families and carers
  • Challenging stigma and raising awareness
  • Ensuring that all community activities are inclusive of people living with dementia
  • Empowering people living with dementia and their families and recognising their contribution to community life
  • Encouraging all community resources to consider the needs of people living with dementia in their planning and operations
  • Formal and informal befrienders helping people living with dementia and their families, engage in community life
  • Helping people living with dementia maintain independence by delivering community-based solutions
  • Considering appropriate transport links
  • Ensuring that all physical environments are easy to navigate
  • Enabling businesses and services to respond positively and with respect to customers with dementia

Five simple steps to becoming dementia-friendly

  1. Sign up to become a Dementia Friend on the Alzheimer’s website
  2. Consider setting up sessions to raise dementia awareness for councillors and residents
  3. Ensure that your council and community buildings are suitable for people living with dementia using the Dementia Friendly Environment Checklist
  4. Set up community groups which are easily accessible for people living with dementia, such as walking, arts and crafts or singing
  5. Work with neighbouring communities to help promote becoming a dementia-friendly area

Four Rivers Dementia Alliance Logo

❝ Small steps make a big difference for people living with dementia and their families, carers and communities ❞