Dementia Friendly Burntwood

Burntwood is a town with a strong sense of community. The Town Council wants all residents to feel valued and supported, so the aim was set in 2019 to become recognised by Alzheimer’s Society as a Dementia Friendly Community.

Few Burntwood residents have not been affected by the impacts of dementia. Alzheimer’s Society estimates that around 1 in 14 people over the age of 65 are experiencing some form of dementia, a figure set to double by 2040. That’s currently around 500 people in our town who are living with dementia, and many more are affected by supporting and caring for relatives and friends.

With a new Council elected in May 2019, Burntwood Town Council stated its clear ambition to become recognised as a Dementia Friendly Community and received support from the CCIN as a policy prototype. The Chair of Council at the time committed to raising funds – and awareness – of dementia charities and a working group was set up, with both Council members and representatives of stakeholder groups and organisations, to scope current issues and agree on a timetable of activities.

Not long into the proposed timetable of activities, the Covid-19 pandemic hit, leading to the postponement of several aspects of the project. During lockdowns, however, the working group continued to meet and grow, with advice and support from a representative of Alzheimer’s Society.