Hackney Council reaffirms efforts to make borough ‘dementia-friendly’ at Town Hall meeting

Cllr Yvonne Maxwell proposed the motion on dementia in Hackney (Photo: Hackney Council)

Hackney councillors pledged to make Hackney “dementia-friendly” at a meeting of full council at the Town Hall on Wednesday (24 January), with emotional speeches about the impact of dementia.

A motion proposed by the council’s Dementia Champion, Hoxton West councillor Yvonne Maxwell, reaffirmed the local authority’s “crucial role in improving the lives of people affected by dementia and their carers”.

The motion, which passed unanimously, restated the council’s ambition to become a Dementia Friendly Borough as defined by the Alzheimer’s Society charity, and to continue working as part of the Hackney Dementia Action Alliance group (HDAA) to help the borough’s 1,300 people living with dementia.

Councillors shared personal experiences of dementia ahead of voting for the motion, with emotional speeches from Lea Bridge councillor Ian Rathbone, who seconded the motion, and Cllr Sem Moema of Hackney Downs.

Speaking after the vote, Cllr Maxwell said: “I am pleased that by continuing the work to become a dementia-friendly council and borough, we can further work towards raising awareness and understanding of dementia.

“Hackney Council, in partnership with voluntary organisations and local businesses is looking at how it can support people affected by dementia and how it can work more closely with them, so council policies work for them.

“We are also working with health partners to improve the rate of dementia diagnosis so that people affected by the condition can receive support much earlier.”

Councillors met at Hackney Town Hall on Wednesday

Cllr Jonathan McShane, the outgoing cabinet member for Health, Social Care and Devolution, said: “Across Hackney there are many organisations offering support and doing lots of work in the effort to make the borough more dementia friendly.

“There is more the council can do across all of its services by leading and supporting the work to create a truly dementia-friendly community in Hackney, particularly through the changes as health and social care services work more closely together.

“It is also important that people can get information about getting involved in activities or groups to improve their mental health and well-being.”

The motion was welcomed by the Alzheimer’s Society. Linda O’Sullivan, the charity’s Head of London Region, said: “Dementia is the biggest health and social care crisis facing society today. Someone develops the condition every three minutes and too many are facing it alone.

“Many people with dementia tell us they feel isolated and let down by their communities. So it’s fantastic to see Hackney council working hard to address this issue and work towards becoming dementia-friendly.”

Sandra Cater, Hackney’s Dementia Friendly Community Coordinator, is helping run a Dementia Festival in the borough from 21 to 27 May, with dementia-friendly film screenings to help people reconnect with their memories and other people.

She said: “Many residents and workers in Hackney are already Dementia Friends and are keen to make the borough a great place for people living with dementia, and their carers and families to live, work and socialise.

“We would love for more local businesses, post offices and banks to get involved and become dementia-friendly.”

For more information on the Dementia Festival or to get involved email sandra.cater@alzheimers.org.uk