Top marks for Liverpool school children as they become Dementia Friends

helping our community

Gas network Cadent helps King David Primary’s Year 5 pupils to learn that even small actions can make a big difference to people living with dementia
 
A Liverpool primary school is the latest to take advantage of a scheme to raise dementia awareness among young children.
 
Year 5 pupils at King David Primary School in Childwall are proudly wearing ‘Dementia Friends’ badges after learning about the brain condition.

Cadent, which has a corporate sponsorship with Alzheimer’s Society, offered to run special awareness sessions for the children.
 
Laura Barnes, social responsibility specialist at Cadent, said: “It was brilliant to encounter such lovely and inquisitive children, and help them understand a little about dementia and how they can do small things to make a big difference.

“It was also great fun too – one child asked me if a fish can get dementia!”
 
“We delivered a special session called ‘Memories with Grandma’ which has been developed by Alzheimer’s Society to introduce dementia in an appropriate way to this age group. I would really encourage other schools to take a look at it.”
 
Matthew Shaw, headteacher at King David Primary School, said: “So many of our families are affected by dementia, which is why helping to prepare them for the challenges they will face is so important. Many thanks to Cadent and everyone involved in making this amazing workshop come together.”


Laura Barnes (Cadent), Matthew Shaw (headteacher at King David Primary School) and Rachel Endfield (Cadent, and a governor at King David School)

This was the first ‘Memories with Grandma’ session delivered by Cadent, with dates confirmed at schools in Worsley and Warwick in the coming weeks. The gas network hopes to run more sessions across its four networks – North West England, West Midlands, East of England and North London.
 
Laura added: “Cadent has had a corporate link with Alzheimer’s Society for three years and we’ve helped many of our own 4,000 employees to become Dementia Friends, as well as raising awareness and money for this worthwhile cause.
 
“Being a Dementia Friend simply means learning more about dementia, putting yourself in the shoes of someone living with the condition, and turning that understanding into simple actions. From visiting someone you know with dementia to being more patient in a shop queue, every action counts.”
 
Did you know?
Around 89,000 in North West England live with dementia.

What is Dementia Friends?
For more information about Dementia Friends and how to become one: www.dementiafriends.org.uk

Cadent

Cadent is the UK’s largest gas distribution network with a 200-year legacy.  We are in a unique position to build on strong foundations whilst encouraging the curiosity to think differently and the courage to embrace change.  Day to day we continue to operate, maintain and innovate the UK’s largest gas network, transporting gas safely and protecting people in an emergency.   Our skilled engineers and specialists remain committed to the communities we serve, working day and night to ensure gas reaches 11 million homes from Cumbria to North London and the Welsh Borders to East Anglia, to keep your energy flowing. 

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Kevin Hegarty

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