Local businesses, voluntary organisations and Haringey Council have committed to making Haringey dementia friendly, by creating a new alliance in the borough.

The Haringey Dementia Action Alliance will bring likeminded organisations and institutions together to help support those with dementia in Haringey. It will be chaired by Alwyn Lewis, CEO of Hornsey Housing Trust.

The Alliance was formed at an event held at Tottenham Hotspur’s conference centre yesterday (Wednesday 18 November), organised by Alzheimer’s Society, Hornsey Housing Trust and Haringey Council. The day was opened by the Mayor of Haringey, Cllr Jennifer Mann, and included workshops and sessions designed to teach people more about dementia and the ways to support those affected by the condition.

Haringey-based celebrity supporter, actress, writer and comedian, Meera Syal, endorsed the event, saying:

“The care and support for people affected by dementia is an issue close to my heart as the illness affects a very special person in my life. Living in Haringey, it’d mean a lot to me to see my borough become dementia-friendly where residents, businesses and services understand more about the illness. By working together we can ensure people living with dementia feel included in the Haringey community and are able to access activities and services with confidence.”

Cllr Peter Morton, Haringey Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing said:

“The Haringey Dementia Action Alliance will improve the lives of people living with dementia in Haringey and the lives of their carers. By working closely with partners across the borough the Alliance will ensure that care and support available in Haringey is properly coordinated and that those affected by the condition are able to live well and retain as much independence as possible.”

Douglas Russell, Alzheimer’s Society Operations Manager for North West London, added:

“There are 1,633 people living with dementia in Haringey, and this event aims to result in borough-wide actions to provide the right support to help them live well with the condition. All people with dementia and carers should have equal access to services based around their needs, simple to navigate, and always available.”

Alwyn Lewis, Chief Executive of Hornsey Housing Trust said:

“We’re proud to work with Alzheimer’s Society to deliver services, including a dementia friendly café, to our residents, their families and carers and this will help broaden such activity across the borough”.