A group of local people with dementia have recorded memories they can treasure forever through a new partnership with Old Market.

Ahead of Dementia Action Week (21st – 27th May), a group of local individuals with dementia and their carers, together with staff from Old Market, spent a morning recording soundbites about their lives.

Each participant had the opportunity to talk about their hobbies, families and experiences living in Hereford. At the end of the session, they received a CD of their memories as a keepsake for their family and friends.

Old Market is one of ten shopping centres identified by its owner British Land to take part in this project in partnership with Bauer Academy - a national training provider which provides innovative, bespoke training programmes delivered by media industry experts.

The partnership forms part of a wider initiative to give the team at Old Market the chance to become Dementia Friends. To date, twenty-four members of staff at Old Market have attended Dementia Friends information sessions which aim to provide a greater understanding of the impact of living with dementia.

Alan Anderson, centre manager at Old Market, said: “Dementia is a condition that affects many people across the community. Here at Old Market, we want all our shoppers to have an enjoyable experience, which is why we are committed to supporting the Dementia Friends programme.

“We’re proud that many of our colleagues wear a forget-me-not flower badge which means that they’re equipped with the skills they need to support our shoppers with dementia and make sure that they - and their carers, family and friends - have an enjoyable experience at our centre.”

Claire Jenkins, Head of Community Engagement at Alzheimer’s Society, said: “It’s fantastic that the team from Old Market has united against dementia by helping local people to document their memories. It is a fantastic way to engage with the local community and it’s a perfect way to mark Dementia Action Week.

“In the UK, one person develops dementia every three minutes and almost everyone knows someone whose life has been affected. Yet too many people face the condition alone, without adequate support. At Alzheimer’s Society we are determined to change this, as it is vital that people living with dementia feel included in their local community and able to live the lives they want.

“This Dementia Action Week, Alzheimer’s Society is calling on everyone to unite and take actions, big or small, to improve the everyday lives of people affected by dementia.”