It's official - Todmorden is a dementia-friendly town

Dementia Friendly Todmorden, which is supported by West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, West Yorkshire Police, Calderdale Council, Todmorden Town Council and other organisations and businesses, worked with Calderdale Dementia Action Alliance to submit an action plan to the Alzheimer’s Society.

This shone a spotlight on the work the group does including monthly cafes, training courses and a Dementia Information Hub established at Todmorden Fire Station.

The group’s chair, Inspector Neil Taylor, said: “The designation of our official Dementia Friendly status is just part of our ongoing aim for Dementia Friendly Todmorden.

“Our role continues to be to offer help and support to people in Todmorden living with dementia, along with their families and their carers, and to raise awareness and understanding about dementia for all who live in our town.

“Our Dementia Friendly status will enable us to share information, practices and ideas with the other 200-plus dementia friendly communities across the country and it will also enable us to work more closely alongside the Alzheimer’s Society in the future as a dementia-friendly town.”

Since the group wa set up it has made great strides in raising awareness and providing support to people and families affected by dementia.

This includes the information hub, a Facebook page, community training, initiatives and events.

West Yorkshire Police has also raised awareness of the Herbert Protocol - a missing person incident form which is designed to ensure that if someone goes missing, police can get access to important information about that person as soon as possible.