Welsh Inspectorate staff to become ‘Dementia Friends’

Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) has pledged that their staff will become Dementia Friends in a move to better understand dementia and the impact it can have on people’s lives.

Dementia Friends is an Alzheimer’s Society initiative that aims to help members of the public improve their understanding of dementia and turn that understanding into action. Four members of staff from CSSIW, including the Chief Inspector Imelda Richardson, have attended Dementia Friends information sessions delivered by a Dementia Friends Champion that has enabled them to become ‘Dementia Friends’.

The Inspectorate has pledged an action to roll out the information sessions to the rest of its workforce so they will also become Dementia Friends.

Chief Inspector of CSSIW, Imelda Richardson, said: “Being an inspectorate who regulates social care it is so important to understand the people that use the services. Becoming a Dementia Friend has meant that we now have a better understanding of what it is like for someone living with dementia day to day and what we can do help.

“We have committed to roll this out across our entire workforce so everyone has a better understanding of dementia and how we can be more aware and understanding to someone living with the different types of the disease.”

CSSIW plans to roll out the information sessions in 2015 and will also train some of its workforce to become Champions who can deliver the information sessions to any new starters which will allow them to become Dementia Friends too.

Chella Borde, Dementia Friends Regional Support Officer at Alzheimer’s Society said: “Less than half of us think we know enough about dementia. Dementia Friends is the perfect opportunity to be able to invite everyone up and down the country to improve their knowledge.

“Dementia Friends isn’t about creating experts, it’s about helping people understand a little bit more about what it’s like to live with the condition and then turn that understanding into action. Anyone of any age can be a Dementia Friend and we’re delighted that the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales has pledged their support for the initiative.”