East Suffolk Council
Bungay recognised for improving quality of life for people with dementia
An East Suffolk community has been awarded special status by a leading charity for its understanding and support for people living with dementia.
Bungay has been officially recognised as a Dementia Friendly Community by the Alzheimer's Society.
The town has been granted the title for 2023 – joining just 40 other Dementia Friendly Communities across the East of England – in recognition of local efforts to improve inclusion and quality of life for people with dementia, and encourage communities to support people living with dementia.
Officers from East Suffolk Council’s (ESC) Communities and Economic Development teams formed the Bungay Dementia Project with Suffolk Family Carers, Connected Communities, Bungay Community Support, Bungay Town Council and Back in the Groove CIC to increase the support available for those living with dementia and their carers.
Over the past year, the group has engaged with local businesses and community organisations to provide dementia awareness training and, as a result, 12 people have now become ‘dementia friends.’ The community was also asked to provide their feedback on current dementia services and share their experiences of living with dementia.
Cllr Katie Graham, East Suffolk’s cabinet member for Communities, Leisure and Tourism said:
“This is a tremendous and well deserved achievement for the town of Bungay.
"Becoming an Alzheimer's Society Dementia Friendly Community recognises and celebrates the efforts of the Bungay Dementia Project, which has been working hard to improve the lives of people with dementia in the town, and their families.”
Cllr Toby Hammond, ward councillor Bungay and Wainford, as well as East Suffolk's cabinet member for Economic Development and Transport, said:
“This is a proud achievement for the Bungay Dementia Project and the town as a whole.
“Dementia sadly affects one in every 14 people over 65 and the work of volunteers is so important to ensuring that they, and indeed those who look after them, are well supported.”
Suffolk County Councillor for Bungay Judy Cloke, who is also a member of the Bungay Dementia Project, said:
“Many people in every walk of life live with the debilitating and often frightening effects of dementia. It is not just people who have received the diagnosis, but their family and friends also.
“It has been an honour to work with ESC officers, local businesses and individuals in the Bungay community towards achieving our ‘Dementia Friendly Town’ status.
“I believe this accolade demonstrates Bungay welcomes everyone to our town and facilities. This is just the start of something much wider and I hope, very much, that the scheme or something similar will be expanded to the rest of East Suffolk. Yet again, Bungay leads the way!”