A presentation at Monmouthshire Building Society’s Cwmbran branch, which was attended by Assembly Member Lynne Neagle, Torfaen Councillor Amanda Owen and Phil Diamond from Torfaen County Borough Council, celebrated the achievement of every branch staff member across 11 branches in South Wales having received Dementia Friendly awareness.

Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Friends programme is the biggest ever initiative to change people’s perceptions of dementia. It aims to transform the way the nation thinks, acts and talks about the condition.

Whether trainees attend a face-to-face information session or watch an online video, Dementia Friends is about learning more about dementia and the small ways we can all help. From telling friends about the Dementia Friends programme to visiting someone you know living with dementia, every action counts.

By staff attending the Dementia Friends awareness, Monmouthshire Building Society are able to support our customers when they visit our branches and help them to continue be independent and part of the community.

Maria Saunders, regional team manager, said: “When we were contacted about taking part in the Dementia Friends programme, we jumped at the chance to take part. Many of our members have been touched by dementia, either personally or through friends and family, and anything we can do to increase our awareness and to help support others is an absolute honour to be a part of. I’d encourage other

businesses to take part as it really could have a huge impact on the lives of people with dementia or those who care for them.”

Phil Diamond, Torfaen County Borough Council, said: “Torfaen council is developing a ‘dementia friendly community’ with the help of the Alzheimer’s Society, with action being taken across the borough and we were recently accredited as ‘working towards dementia friendly community.

“Dementia is a major issue today, with one in 14 people over 65 years of age living with dementia. I’m excited about the development of a ‘dementia friendly community’, and with more organisations such as Monmouthshire Building Society involved, we can be really proud of going above and beyond and doing more for members of our community who need that extra level of support.”