A NEW dementia action group has been formed in Trowbridge to help raise awareness among residents.

The group includes The Orders of St John Care Trust which runs the Goodson Lodge care home on the Hilperton Road.

The Trust is one of the town partners involved in Dementia Action Trowbridge, an action group formed to make local residents more aware of the condition and also how to access help and advice.

With representatives from a wide range of local stakeholders, Dementia Action Trowbridge aims to assist those living with dementia and their carers by facilitating opportunities to engage and participate in the community via a network of supportive organisations who can share resources and expertise.

The alliance will also advise those with a commitment to making Trowbridge dementia friendly, whether that be individuals, local businesses or community groups.

Dementia Action Trowbridge has three broad aims:

• raise awareness of dementia and the effect on individuals and their families by enabling and empowering those with dementia to be heard;

• highlight steps that we can all take to help those living with dementia feel more included in the community and make the town dementia friendly, enabling Trowbridge to innovate and influence other local towns and villages; and

• be a useful resource for those seeking additional information and signpost to community groups who may be able to assist further.

Tim Wright, customer relationship manager at Goodson Lodge, who worked with existing partners to form the group, said: “I feel enormously proud that the community has come together to breathe life into a group that will benefit those living with dementia.

"As partners, we are already working together, but by forming Dementia Action Trowbridge, I have no doubt that we will see a tangible benefit both for the community and for those affected by dementia.”

OSJCT Admiral nurse, Luke Carter, added: “As a Trowbridge resident and dementia care nurse, community awareness, engagement and action is vital for supporting people to live well with this condition.”

Chris Maple and Claire Mitchell, Trowbridge-based dementia advisers at Alzheimer’s Support, said: “We are very pleased to be part of a working group that will engage multiple stakeholders to work together to make our county town not only more dementia aware, but to continually explore opportunities to improve the lives of those living with dementia and their families.”

The group's membership is likely to expand as the programme of meetings is rolled out and they will be chaired on a rolling basis. The first meeting in February was held online because of the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown restrictions.