19-25 May is Dementia Action Week, a great time to launch our new NCL Dementia Friendly Scheme. This was developed in partnership with Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey and Islington councils and North Central London Integrated Care Board (NCL ICB).
We are delighted to announce that Park Theatre in Finsbury Park is the first organisation to be signed up to the new scheme. Park Theatre is a great example of a welcoming, inclusive venue and was jointly nominated by representatives of Islington and Haringey’s borough dementia networks.
The NCL Dementia Friendly scheme is about improving the lives of the estimated 12,500 people in Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey and Islington living with dementia and their families and carers. Dementia can bring many challenges, not just memory loss, but visual perception issues, mobility issues and noise sensitivity.
By working together as a community, we want to offer people living with dementia more places to go where they feel welcomed, included and valued. We hope Park Theatre will be the first of many!
Presenting the award, Councillor Janet Burgess MBE, Chair of Dementia Friendly Islington, Islington Council, said:
“It’s an absolute pleasure to be able to award Dementia Friendly status to the wonderful Park Theatre team, the first organisation to sign up for this new scheme.
I was a carer for someone with dementia myself and I know what a difference it can make to come to somewhere like this, among sympathetic, non-judgmental people. Park Theatre have put a lot of thought into making this a place where people with dementia and their carers can come and enjoy some entertainment and feel safe. It’s really deserved. Many congratulations.”
Jez Bond, Artistic Director, Park Theatre
“It’s wonderful to have some recognition for the work we’ve been doing all these years to make Park Theatre a Dementia Friendly venue. We give dementia awareness training to all our staff and 150 volunteer ushers. We also arrange special, more relaxed performances of our main stage plays for people with dementia and their carers, as well as dementia friendly activities.
Thank you so much for awarding us NCL Dementia Friendly status. It means Park Theatre can really pioneer being a welcoming and accessible venue for all.”
Back row: Sophia Stevens, Islington Council, Clare Davis, Haringey Council, Paul Allen, NCL ICB, Councillor Janet Burgess MBE, Islington Council, Jez Bond, Park Theatre, Front row: Alan, Park Theatre volunteer
Councillor Das Neves, Haringey Council
“Park Theatre do so much to be welcoming to people living with dementia and their carers in Haringey, giving them a safe place to meet and enjoy themselves. We hope other venues will follow in their footsteps.
It is a much-loved venue for our local residents. Haringey Council was pleased to be able to nominate Park Theatre to be recognised by the NCL Dementia Friendly scheme. Congratulations!”
Watch: Paul and Alan – how friendly spaces like #ParkTheatre help #carers | YouTube
Paul Allen, Assistant Director – Strategy, Communities & Inequalities, NHS North Central London Integrated Care Board
“We hope that the Park Theatre will be the first of hopefully many organisations that will join the dementia friendly movement in North Central London across Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey and Islington.”
Who can become a Dementia Friendly organisation?
Organisations of any size or type, operating in Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey or Islington, including community and faith groups, GP practices, cafés, shops and more.
How do we sign up?
- Become Dementia Aware
- Make two commitments from the list on our webpage below
- Let us know your plan – and sign up
Find out more and sign up at nclhealthandcare.org.uk/get-involved/Become a Dementia Friendly organisation