HALE Barns is hoping to become a Dementia Friendly town.

Sunrise of Hale Barns, in Hale Road, is joining up with neighbours, as part of its drive to make the town ‘Dementia Friendly’.

They are kick starting the campaign with their first community meeting in association with Alzheimer’s Society and the Action Dementia Alliance at Sunrise on Wednesday March 15 from 3 pm.

A range of businesses, leaders from churches and dementia ambassadors are joining together with the Sunrise team to champion a ‘Dementia Friendly’ status.

Dementia Friendly Communities are a concept initiated by the Alzheimer’s Society.

To achieve the status, the town must develop a strong voice for people living with dementia in area, as well as ensuring that the right structures are in place and key organisations and businesses are doing all they can to raise awareness of dementia.

Ann Johnson, an ambassador for the Alzheimer’s Society and resident at Sunrise of Hale Barns, will be providing a speech on the importance of making Hale Barns more ‘Dementia Friendly’.

Diagnosed with early-onset Alzhiemer’s at just 52, Ann is a passionate spokesperson and has since travelled around the country providing talks to health professionals and dementia patients alike.

Going forward, the Sunrise of Hale Barns team will be providing special dementia friendly sessions and events at the community to ensure that they are providing residents, as well as those within the local area, the support and companionship deserved.