Alzheimer’s Society (UK) is working in partnership with the charity organisation the National Trust on an ambitious three-year project to make all of their 500 historic and countryside sites dementia-friendly.
In what is the largest collaboration of its kind, bringing heritage and dementia together, the organisations are joining forces to unlock some of the UK’s best-loved history and heritage for millions of people affected by dementia.
The new partnership, which will see one of the Alzheimer’s Society’s biggest roll-outs of its Dementia Friends’ programme within a heritage organisation, will focus on:
-
upskilling the 74,000 people who work and volunteer for the National Trust
-
improving the accessibility of the sites for all visitors and
-
improving internal policies and processes to support members of staff and volunteers who may be affected by the condition.
It will also see improvements at some of the places, including improved signage, facilities and modifications to materials used on paths and car parks. The National Trust will also be developing dementia services (such as cafés, tours and social events), taking heritage to local care homes, hospitals, day centres and community groups. Hosting awareness-raising activities and making improvements for those living with the disease will also support the case for more dementia-friendly communities.
The power of historic connections
For people with dementia and their carers, historic spaces, collections and stories can prompt and stimulate discussion, encourage outdoor exploration, and offer a vital connection to the world around them.
Research from Alzheimer’s Society shows that day trips are one of the most likely and regular activities for people living with the condition and their carers. In comparison to other visitor attractions, people living with dementia also view heritage sites as ‘safe’ and familiar spaces.
"Visiting a heritage site can improve physical and mental health by helping people keep active. The importance of such venues increases as we get older, as a place to relax, recover and engage through multi-sensory stimulation of the space around us," said Jeremy Hughes, Alzheimer’s Society’s Chief Executive.
For more information: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-involved/dementia-friendly-communities/organisations/dementia-friendly-heritage-sites
