Knowsley Council has supported Liverpool City Region’s ongoing commitment to be ‘the most dementia-friendly place possible’ at a special symposium to mark Dementia Action Week.
Knowsley joined the event where representatives from the city region’s six Local Authorities gathered to share best practice, raise awareness and listen to the stories of people living with dementia, and their carers.
Delegates discussed the next steps forward in the drive to make sure people living with dementia, their friends, family and carers are supported, respected and included in their neighbourhoods and communities as local organisations continue to work collaboratively to drive forward the dementia agenda.
This commitment on behalf of people living with dementia has been demonstrated through 10 pledges which Mayor Steve Rotheram and all six council leaders signed up to in 2018, and since then, have worked together through the LCR Dementia Advisory Group to enhance services in the region.
Following this, Liverpool City Region became the first Combined Authority in the country to be awarded Dementia Friendly Community status by the Alzheimer’s Society in 2022.
In Knowsley, the borough’s Health and Wellbeing Board is launching a refresh of its Dementia Friendly Strategy to support people living with dementia.
The board is commissioning an external organization with expertise in dementia to develop the new strategy and a governance framework for its implementation. Knowsley Council will lead the recommissioning of the strategy on behalf of the board and is committed to involving people living with dementia and their families in its development.
Dementia affects memory, problem-solving, language, and behaviour—sometimes all at once. With over 100 types of dementia, symptoms often start small but worsen over time.
Cllr Del Arnall, Knowsley’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care said: “We were delighted to join the summit and reaffirm our commitment to improving the lives of all residents, including those living with dementia, and working closely with partners across the borough to provide support and services for those affected by the condition.
“Our refreshed Dementia Strategy will be developed with people at the centre of it, listening and responding to what people with dementia and their families think is important.”
The Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Action Week runs until Friday 23 May 2025. This year’s campaign drives home the importance of early diagnosis, showcases activities for people living with dementia, and inspires everyone to build more dementia-friendly communities.
Anyone worried about themself, or someone close to them, is advised to check their symptoms today. Visit alzheimers.org.uk/checklist or call Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Support Line on 0333 150 3456.