A NEW dementia awareness group has been set up in Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge in a bid to help residents and businesses become more dementia aware.

Representatives from several organisations within the towns met in April to discuss what changes could be implemented to increase awareness of the condition. 

Deborah Matthews, chairman of Burnham Dementia Alliance Action (DAA) group approached Burnham Chamber of Commerce in January with a view to making Burnham businesses more dementia friendly and accessible.

Mrs Matthews said :“As an accessible tourism officer and dementia champion, I was keen to speak to the local businesses to make the resort more accessible for all.

"Although dementia is the main focus of this group I also want to educate the businesses on becoming more accessible not just to those with physical disabilities, but also those with mental health issues and special educational needs.”

Community groups and organisations in Burnham have already got involved in the new DAA group including Burnham-on-Sea Memorial Hospital, Hands of Change, St Andrews Church and the Community Council for Somerset. 

Tatiana Cant, town clerk at Burnham and Highbridge Town Council said: “Burnham and Highbridge Town Council are very keen to be a real part of this excellent initiative to promote awareness of dementia and to support those affected."

The group has planned a number of events over the coming months to help educate and train people so businesses and tourist attractions in the town can be more dementia friendly. 

Steve Ballinger, community agent for Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge said: “It’s estimated that more than a million people in the UK will have dementia by the year 2025.

"I support a number of people with dementia and their carers in Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge and making the towns a dementia friendly community will help them and visitors to our towns.

"This is a great initiative.”

On June 5 special dementia champions, John Hardy and Avril Staunton will be attending the town council meeting to give special training to all the councillors. 

The group has also arranged for staff at Highbridge Medical Centre to be given 'Dementia Friends' training on June 20. 

The group's chairman, Debbie Matthews will be doing a presentation on accessible and dementia tourism at the Burnham Chamber of Commerce AGM on June 22 at the Princess Theatre.

For more information about the group email deborah@successfulstays.co.uk.