MORE than 30 police officers from across south west Essex are now Dementia Friends, thanks to awareness sessions from staff at Basildon University Hospital.
Jane Gilby, lead dementia nurse explains: “In November 2014, the hospital launched its dementia project to provide a focus on improving services for people living with dementia. Staff attended a Dementia Champions day hosted by the Alzheimer’s Society, to train to deliver Dementia Friends awareness sessions for staff and the public. Dementia Champions deliver the awareness sessions voluntarily.
“Initially, a couple of members of the policing team attended our in-house sessions. They found it so useful that they invited us to visit the police stations to present the dementia awareness sessions there. So far 32 police officers have signed up to be Dementia Friends, with plans for further sessions to be held in October.”
Dementia Friends learn a little bit more about what it’s like to live with dementia and then turn that understanding into action, helping to create dementia friendly communities.

Neil Carman, Local Partnership Inspector, South Local Policing Area said: “I am really grateful to the Dementia Champions at Basildon University Hospital for taking the time to deliver the dementia awareness sessions to the Basildon Neighbourhood Policing Teams. This has provided officers with knowledge and confidence to recognise the signs of this disease. It enables officers to adapt their approach with a view to providing an excellent service to some of the most vulnerable members of our community.”
Jane Gilby added: “So far, we have trained 633 local people to be Dementia Friends. Most are hospital staff but more than 100 are not. Dementia is a condition that will affect many of us in one way or another. It is important that we all do what we can to understand what it is like to live with dementia, so that we can provide those affected with the necessary support.”
