Carmarthenshire village becomes a dementia friendly community

Residents of Pontyberem are playing their part in shaping services for people with dementia.

This small village in the Gwendraeth valley has been officially recognised as Carmarthenshire’s first Dementia Friendly and Supportive Community, helping people understand dementia and providing feedback on a range of topics to the county’s Dementia Action Board.

Carmarthenshire County Council has worked with partners to deliver and evaluate this multi-agency approach with a view to developing a model which can be used throughout Carmarthenshire.

The project was officially launched at Pontyberem Memorial Hall recently, with members of the community joined by a range of organisations who provide support for people with dementia.

Over the next few months, villagers will help establish a community profile that details the physical environment, facilities, services and groups, and will take part in a quiz to find out how much the community understands about dementia.

People who suffer with dementia, and their carers, will be asked how they feel about their community - how they engage, what difficulties they face, the impact dementia has on their lives, and what can be done to help.

Councillor Jane Tremlett, the council’s executive board member for health and social care, is also Dementia Care Champion and chair of the Carmarthenshire Dementia Action Board.

She said: “Pontyberem is the first dementia friendly community in Carmarthenshire. It is my aim to ensure this initiative develops across all towns and villages to make the whole of Carmarthenshire a dementia friendly county.

“With an ageing population, we know that we have to be prepared for a rise in demand for dementia services.”