It was Dementia Awareness Week, so fittingly 25 members of staff at Tesco Extra in Newton Aycliffe gave their day off to voluntarily attend a training presentation on becoming a Dementia Friend and all 100% of the staff happily signed up. Hopefully they will wear their badges with pride and be happy to explain their basic understanding of being a dementia friend and how they can apply what they have learned in the store.
The presentation was given by Joan Mitchie who is a Dementia Friend Champion, helped by Ron her husband who is waiting to complete his Dementia Friend Champion training.
Joan usually shares the presentation with Dorothy Bowman who runs a Dementia Cafe at Silverdale House on a Tuesday and Thursday Mornings. New members are welcome at any time.
The presentation explained the 5 Key Factors the Alzheimer’s Society have identified as being the major points society have to recognise if they are to help people living with dementia in our locality. Joan is also Secretary of Great Aycliffe Community Aid Partnership and Ron is Chairman. GACAP is an umbrella partnership whose group aim is to assist people in Newton Aycliffe who for one reason or another find themselves at a point of need.
Tesco in Newton Aycliffe are one of the 30 plus partners who currently make up GACAP. Helen Maynard Manager of Tesco and Joe Riley Customer Experience Manager and Shirley Cormack Tesco Community Champion, regularly attend GACAP meetings and are valued partners.
If anyone is interested in Joan and Ron sharing the presentation with a group you are connected to, please contact Joan on mobile number 07597 915378/07730 or 01325 471487 or email secretary.gacap@gmail.com
Photo: Joan Mitchie, Dementia Friend Champion
