Watch as we take you inside the first of Liverpool’s dedicated Dementia Care Centres

Community leaders in Liverpool have pledged to make it as easy as possible for people living with dementia to make the most of city council services.

A special motion agreed by the city’s Full Council this week reaffirmed the council’s commitment towards making Liverpool an ‘inclusive and accessible dementia council’.

The council has promised to ensure that the services it provides are dementia-friendly by raising awareness about the condition amongst its workforce. It will also provide more training for staff members and elected members around the needs of people living with dementia and commit to work with businesses, the voluntary sector and the Age Friendly Networks, in a bid to become an increasingly Age Friendly City.

The motion to council entitled Ageing Well and Dementia in Liverpool, states that the authority will work closely with the Liverpool Dementia Action Alliance and other local organisations, on the plan.

Liverpool City Council’s Lead for Older People (South) Cllr Jeremy Wolfson, proposed the motion. He said: “The council is committed to improving the quality of life for all residents of the city and increasing the number of healthy life years for people in Liverpool is a key part of the Mayor’s Inclusive Growth Plan.”

“It is estimated that there are nearly 5,000 people over the age of 65 in Liverpool living with dementia, with many who are younger than this living with the condition. Dementia is not a disease of merely growing old but the risks do increase with age. Crucially, getting a formal diagnosis can be the key accessing the right support services.”

Liverpool City Council is leading the way in terms of dementia care by creating a number of support centres across the city.

The first of these is Sedgemoor Day Centre in Norris Green. The £1.2m centre caters for up to 30 people a day and provides assessment and respite facilities.

It offers a range of therapies and activities designed to keep users active and to help them retain their independence for as long as possible.

Work has also begun on the site of a new £7.8m Dementia Hub on South Parade in Speke and at the proposed £8.2m Venmore Dementia Centre on Hartnup Street, Anfield.

Cllr Wolfson added: “Staying connected and active in the local communities, through work, rest and play, can help people living with dementia stay physically and mentally well for longer, which is exactly what we are promoting through the work of our dementia hubs. We are delighted that the council has supported our motion, which means we can continue to move towards being the best city we can for people of all ages.