Airport a UK first for local dementia action alliance

October 20, 2015 by Southend Borough Council

Airport a UK first for local dementia action alliance

Wednesday 21st October 2015

London Southend Airport has become the first airport in the United Kingdom to sign up to a local dementia action alliance.

It has become a member of Southend-On-Sea’s Dementia Action Alliance (SDAA) which was launched in March 2015 to help Southend-On-Sea become a ‘Dementia-Friendly’ town. The SDAA is made up of businesses, services and community groups all working in partnership with the council. A ‘Dementia-Friendly’ town is where people affected by dementia feel confident knowing they can live their lives with access to the services and support they need to fully participate in community life.

As part of signing up to the group, the airport has devised an action plan that includes a commitment to ensuring that dementia awareness training is given to all front of house staff, such as those working on check-in staff and security. After this training will be rolled out to retail staff, rail staff, cleaners and possibly third parties that deal with customers.

Cllr James Moyies, Executive Councillor for Health and Adult Social Care, says: “It has been excellent to see the level of support being offered from groups, firms and charities throughout the borough – all pledging to do their best to help make life easier for people affected by dementia, and those who care for them.

“To have the first airport in the country to sign up is fantastic news and shows just what a special and caring place Southend-on-Sea is. In Southend we have at least 3,000 people living with dementia and this Alliance will help strengthen the collective efforts to transform their lives.”

Glyn Jones, Chief Executive Officer of Stobart Aviation that owns London Southend Airport said: “London Southend Airport has a huge focus on customer service and ensuring all our passengers – whatever their individual needs - receive the best possible experience at the airport. This is one of the reasons why we have won Which? Magazine ‘Best Airport in the UK for 3 year running and why we are constantly looking to build on what we do and offer the best service possible.”

Geoff Moore, Dementia Action Alliance Coordinator in the East of England said: “It is exciting to see Southend Airport taking the lead and aiming to become a Dementia Friendly Airport. People living with dementia should still be able to enjoy holidays and travel and there is much that can be done to make the experience easier for someone with the condition. Many people with dementia have reported feeling trapped in their own homes and let down by their communities, with one in three only getting out once a week and one in 10 only manage this once a month. The Southend Dementia Action Alliance aims to address this isolation that many people living with dementia can feel and we are delighted to see another major organisation committing to helping people in the community live well with dementia.”

All members of the SDAA have introduced the Dementia Friends initiative into their workplace and created hundreds of dementia friends throughout Southend.