Businesses, organisations and community groups in Peasedown St John are being asked to ‘make a pledge for dementia’.

Since its launch earlier in the year, the new ‘Dementia Friendly Peasedown’ initiative has attracted support from across the community.

St John’s Parish Church has agreed to waive booking fees for any dementia-related event within the church building; the Prince of Wales Inn has launched a new ‘dementia-friendly’ Tuesday afternoon social group, and The Meeting Place Coffee shop has sent some of its staff on Dementia Friends training sessions.

Project Manager, Nathan Hartley, said: “The response from the community has been phenomenal. With dementia on the rise, local organisations are recognising that more needs to be done to ensure their premises are dementia-friendly, and their staff know how to support someone living with dementia.

“Almost thirty people have now attended Dementia Friends training sessions in Peasedown, and that number is set to drastically rise over the next twelve months.”

The Peasedown project is looking for volunteers to help with a number of tasks, which include:

• Visiting businesses to ensure their properties are dementia-friendly

• Organising events, such as singing activities and Memory Cafés

• Attending a one-day Dementia Champions training session, which gives attendees the skills and knowledge on how to run workshops for the public.

Peasedown Councillor, Sarah Bevan (Independent), who is herself a Dementia Friend, said: “There are currently no ‘dementia-friendly’ communities across Bath & North East Somerset.

“With all the work being done here in Peasedown St John, our village could be the first in the district to achieve the accolade. This would be huge for Peasedown, and so any businesses that join the initiative would really be making a difference.”

Business leaders, faith groups, community associations and members of the public are being invited to the next Dementia Friendly Peasedown Action Group meeting on Wednesday, 3rd July, 7 p.m. at St John’s Church, Church Road (BA2 8AA). To register to attend, email: [email protected]

Refreshments will be provided.