Dementia friendly London: a game-changer for vulnerable residents

The Purpose

In the UK, approximately 850,000 people are living with dementia, with around 72,000 of them residing in London. This number is expected to rise as the population ages. These figures, along with the caregivers of individuals with dementia, represent a substantial audience that many venues may have previously overlooked.

The Challenge

To establish a network of dementia-friendly cultural venues aimed at supporting vulnerable individuals affected by dementia.

The goal is to make London the world’s first dementia-friendly capital city, ensuring that every Londoner affected by dementia can enjoy the best possible quality of life, regardless of their background or location.

The Solution

In 2018, the Mayor of London and the Alzheimer’s Society launched the first Dementia Friendly London initiative. The goal is to make London the world’s first dementia-friendly capital city, ensuring that every Londoner affected by dementia can enjoy the best possible quality of life, regardless of their background or location.

This initiative is supported by the National Health Service, London Boroughs, businesses, Transport for London, and the Metropolitan Police. At its core lies a new Dementia Friendly Venues Charter, encompassing all types of public-facing cultural spaces, ranging from performing arts venues to libraries. The primary aim is to expand a network of dementia-friendly venues across the domains of culture, heritage and the arts, providing support for London’s most vulnerable and elderly residents.

The Impact

By 2021, ten venues had adopted the Charter, resulting in enhancements for people with dementia and their caregivers. Each venue boasts at least eight Dementia Champions, individuals capable of training others to become Dementia Friends. Furthermore, at least 20 new Dementia Friends were recruited, volunteers equipped with awareness of the needs of people with dementia and the ability to assist them. For all venues throughout London, guidance, webinars and learning support are available to aid them in their journey toward achieving Dementia Friendly Venues Charter status.

In the long term, the outcomes of the Dementia Friendly London initiative will contribute to the Mayor’s London Plan, supporting neurodiversity in the planning of new cultural spaces and other developments. It will align with broader recovery missions designed to foster stronger communities and address issues of social isolation and loneliness. As part of the Mayor’s Health Inequalities Strategy and Action Plan, the campaign aims to reduce the stigma associated with a dementia diagnosis, enabling individuals to connect with local services and cultural activities. It will also enhance the skills and infrastructure necessary to support London’s ageing population.

Source: World Cities Culture Report 2022

Images Courtesy © Getty/Canva