Businesses urged to help dementia sufferers in Oswestry

The border town is home to 220 people who have been diagnosed with dementia, but a host of others are thought to remain undiagnosed.

A Dementia Friendly Oswestry group was set up earlier this year to encourage businesses to get involved and become aware of the signs of people with dementia.

By holding a dementia friendly session, businesses will then be able to display signs in their shop and be able to help those who suffer with the disease.

Val Brown, who has volunteered for the Alzheimers Society for 30 years, is hoping more businesses can get involved.

She and others involved have aspirations of following in the footsteps of towns like Newport, who have 170 businesses signed up in total.

She said: "We began the group earlier this year, and currently have five signed up including the British Ironworks Centre and Liar Liar.

"There are 220 people with dementia in Oswestry, but loads more have not been diagnosed or have been told by the doctor it is down to old age.

"It is something we want to tackle, and help them with."

A steering group has now been set up to run the group, and will be holding sessions with businesses who are interested in joining.

Things they are taught are as small as not having a black coloured mat at the door of the shop, and other useful tips to help customers with dementia.

Val added: "We want more involved, it would be nice to get to a target of 170 like Newport has.

"We have a session being held at the Guildhall in Oswestry, on November 21 at 12.30pm if anyone is keen to get involved."