WELLINGTON is on route to become the first “dementia inclusive town” in the South West, thanks to a grant from the National Lottery of more than a quarter of a million pounds.

Reminiscence Learning, an award-winning charity that supports people living with dementia and their families, has been awarded £279,788 by the National Lottery Community Fund ‘Reaching Communities’ to drive the ambitious project forward over the next three years.

Chief Executive Fiona Mahoney said: “This really is the most fantastic news for us and the town – to be honest we’re still in shock at the moment!”

Reminiscence Learning chief executive Fiona Mahoney
Reminiscence Learning chief executive Fiona Mahoney. (Photo: Reminiscence Learning.)

A Dementia Inclusive Community is one where people living with dementia are supported by the local community – everyone from the Local Authority to shops and businesses - to fully participate in society.

The money will help the charity appoint two new officers and work towards opening a High Street hub in Wellington, which can be a drop-in point for anyone wanting help in understanding dementia and how to deal with the next steps.

There is also a plan to deliver through every letterbox in the town a “Supporting Your Dementia Journey” booklet, which will provide crisis line numbers and advice on topics like “What is dementia”, a brief overview of signs, symptoms and types of dementia for early recognition, large-print signposting info and services descriptions.

Dementia awareness workshops will be run for local businesses and organisations.

The charity will be expanding its “Archie Project”, which has for years now been enhancing the links between schools and Wellington’s older residents.

Clear and colourful signage with short burst “dementia awareness prompts” will be put up around the town, to help people living with dementia, and businesses will be offered signs for their shops and offices in order to enhance the shopping experience for those living with dementia.

Reminiscence Learning patron Angela Rippon with charity chief executive Fiona Mahoney in 'Archie' costume.
Reminiscence Learning patron Angela Rippon with charity chief executive Fiona Mahoney in 'Archie' costume. ( )

There will be quarterly ‘Town Talk’ open forums hosted in both central and outlying Wellington venues, providing an open and empathetic platform where people can reach Village Agents, Adult Social Care, Adult Mental Health, local care providers, local solicitors and NHS representatives in one place, for signposting queries and one-stop information.

Fiona added: “It is about making a real difference for people living with dementia and their families, so they don’t feel isolated, especially in more rural communities. And sometimes it is just the simple things – like signage with simple wording – that will be an enormous help.

“We want to get to a point where every shop, every workplace, every public space in Wellington is dementia inclusive.”

This project comes on top of the work that Reminiscence Learning has been carrying out in the town and surrounding area since it was set up in 2003. And the charity is keen to point out that work still needs to be funded, if it is to continue.

“Grateful as we are for this National Lottery money, we still need to fund the services we already provide. So, we still need people to support us in any way they can.”