ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is working in partnership with Alzheimer’s Society to host a number of online awareness sessions to create more Dementia Friends in the convenience sector.
The sessions are free for ACS members to attend and will be taking place on 20th August, 27th August and 3rd September, and will provide attendees with practical advice on how to support customers affected by dementia in store.
Earlier this year, ACS launched a campaign in collaboration with Alzheimer’s Society to create 25,000 Dementia Friends in the convenience sector to help customers, colleagues and communities affected by dementia.
Dementia is the 21st century’s biggest killer in the UK. Someone develops the condition every three minutes, but too many face it alone and without adequate support, even though two thirds of people with dementia live in their local community.
ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “We are delighted to be working with Alzheimer’s Society to offer these online awareness sessions for convenience colleagues. Local shops are a lifeline for the communities that they serve, particularly for those who may be more isolated or vulnerable and we have seen the vital role that our colleagues have played in the lives of their communities during the Covid-19 outbreak.
“I would urge all colleagues in our sector to take part in these awareness sessions which will provide key information on how you can better support customers living with and affected by dementia in your local communities. The face to face sessions we ran earlier in the year were very well-received. These sessions open up this training to many more people from our sector, and we’ve been excited by the response we’ve already had from members.”
Colleagues who complete the online sessions will receive a Dementia Friends badge which can be worn to encourage customers living with dementia to approach you if they are in need of assistance.
Colleagues can also become Dementia Friends by visiting dementiafriends.org.uk/dforganisations and entering campaign code ‘ACS25’ before watching the short videos.
For more information about the awareness sessions and to register your interest, please email [email protected]
