Store staff become Dementia Friends

The team at Specsavers in Hemel Hempstead have become Dementia Friends.

The training initiative from the Alzheimer’s Society aims to help people develop an understanding of dementia so they can support customers and employees who are affected by the condition.

Specsavers employees nationwide are completing the dementia awareness programme, and the 18,000 UK staff were encouraged to complete the first stage during Dementia Awareness Week in May.

In doing so, they become recognised as a Dementia Friends, with a badge to wear on their uniforms to indicate their increased level of dementia awareness.

Daniel Harris, store director of Specsavers in Hemel Hempstead, said: “Being more aware of dementia is an incredibly positive development for our team and our offering to customers.

“I always thought dementia was all to do with someone’s memory, but it is much more than that.

“By uncovering the truth about dementia it really opened my eyes to how at Specsavers, when performing our daily duties, we can all take a little time to support and care.”

The comprehensive training covers all aspects of dementia and discusses how it affects people in different ways.

With particular relevance to Specsavers, it also describes how the senses can be affected, including sight and hearing.

Specsavers clinical spokesman Dr Nigel Best said: “It is vitally important that we recognise customers with dementia so that we can identify and look after their eyecare needs to the best of our ability.”