Ridley & Hall Solicitors have become the 100th member organisation to join the Yorkshire and Humber Dementia Action Alliance.

The regional Alliance was launched in November 2012 and has since attracted interest from organisations such as police forces, fire and rescue services, local authorities, professional services, care providers and health trusts, charities, high street shops, bus companies, taxi firms, faith groups, local associations and schools.

Simon Wallace, Project Manager for the regional Alliance, said, “I am really delighted to welcome Ridley & Hall as the 100th member of the Yorkshire & Humber Dementia Action Alliance. For many years the firm has supported age-related causes and they have introduced innovative services to support and advise older clients. Their commitment to become even more dementia friendly is simply the icing on the cake. What is more, they have been heavily involved in setting up Kirklees Dementia Action Alliance (KDAA) with Adam Fletcher taking on the role of Chair of this important community-focussed group.”

Ridley & Hall Managing Partner, Adam Fletcher, and solicitor, Helen Webster, have also been heavily involved in the creation of a Local Dementia Action Alliance for Kirklees.

Adam commented, “The enthusiasm of our staff during the preparation of our action plan to join the regional Alliance resulted in us taking a major role in the formation of an Alliance here in Kirklees. Surprisingly, the Alliance does not include many members from the professional services sector despite their regular interaction with those living with or supporting those with dementia. I would encourage all responsible organistations to consider how they can make not only the services they provide but also their general environment more dementia friendly.”

Helen Webster added, “The Alliance is a fantastic national movement trying to improve the lives of people living with dementia, by getting society to recognise their needs and to support them to live well with the condition, which in turn helps their carers and loved ones. This is an issue close to my heart, so to be part of that at regional level and in particular moving it forward in our own borough, is extremely rewarding both on a personal and professional level.

“Whilst the group is still in its early days, interest has been high and the response has been extremely positive. The KDAA are still looking for new members to bring a wider cross-section of the above organisations together, as the ethos of the KDAA is to involve as many people as possible in order to help make a ‘kinder Kirklees’ and a more compassionate community.”

(Helen Webster and Adam Fletcher receiving Ridley & Hall’s ‘Working to Become Dementia Friendly’ plaque from Simon Wallace)

If you care about people living with dementia, your organisation has an interest in helping to make life better for those living with dementia, or if your staff interact with or care for people with dementia, the Kirklees Dementia Action Alliance may be able to help you. For more information, please contact Adam Fletcher or Helen Webster on Huddersfield (01484) 558863 or 558878 or visit www.dementiaaction.org.uk.