A FIRM of solicitors in Tavistock is the first in the town to be recognised as being dementia-friendly.

Ann Pointer Solicitors is based in King Street.

Ann Pointer, founder and partner of the firm, said: 'We appreciate and understand the needs of those with dementia and their carers and took the opportunity for all our staff to receive dementia training from The Tavistock Dementia Alliance.

'We hope we can continue to support the creation of our town as a dementia-friendly community and we are proud to have received this recognition.'

Tony Parker, chairman of Tavistock Dementia Action Alliance, said: 'We are pleased that another organisation in town has gained this status.

'We have now delivered dementia awareness training to over 300 individuals in Tavistock and soon there will be 20 businesses and social organisations who are officially recognised.

'While there is a long way to go, we have concentrated initially on those businesses and clubs that those with a dementia and their carers use most frequently —from taxis to hairdressers and churches.

'There are many others in the process of receiving the training and we hope that the town will achieve the national 'title' of being a dementia-friendly community during the next 12 months.'

The Tavistock Dementia Action Alliance was set up to encourage people in the town to increase their awareness and understanding of dementia and ultimately to achieve the national status of being a dementia-friendly community.

Tony said: 'Because life doesn't end when dementia begins, during this year's dementia awareness week, we will be encouraging people to 'do something new' to increase their own awareness and understanding of dementia.

'Dementia Awareness Week 2015 will take place in England, Wales and Northern Ireland from May 17 to 23. If you work shift patterns including night shifts and have difficulty attending a dementia friends session in town why not join the Dementia Friends 24 hour marathon? 

'Run by the Alzheimer's Society, back-to-back Dementia Friends Information Sessions will be held during a 24-hour period from Friday, May 23 to Saturday 24 May.'

If anyone would like further information on the work of the Tavistock Dementia Action Alliance or fact sheets on dementia and the role of carers please contact [email protected]">[email protected] or through the alliance website at http://www.tavistockdementia.org">www.tavistockdementia.org