BUSINESSES in Horwich are being invited to help create the first dementia-friendly community in the borough.

Bolton Council is developing a Dementia Action Alliance which will include a network of businesses, organisations and community individuals who want to improve the lives of people affected by dementia.

The alliance will be launched later in the year but Horwich businesses will get the opportunity to sign up to a pilot scheme on Wednesday, February 24 at The Macron Stadium.

The Deputy Leader of Bolton Council, Cllr Linda Thomas, urge organisations in Horwich to get involved in the scheme.

She said: "It can only be a positive thing for a business to become dementia friendly as making the right changes can generate more custom and improve their standing in the community.

"Nationally the number of people living with dementia is rising all the time and, in Bolton, we anticipate that within the next 10 years we will see the number of cases rise by 30 per cent.

"Consequently, it is crucial that we work together as a community to ensure that people with dementia are supported to continue to live well.

"There is a need for extra support to enable people to participate in everyday tasks such as shopping, socialising or using public transport and we are relying on the wider community to help make this happen."

The event will help to raise awareness of what dementia is and how to help a member of the public who has the condition, as well as offer practical advice on how to improve customers’ experience.

Among the small changes that can be made to make local businesses more friendly are improving accessibility, having clear signage, installing sympathetic lighting and creating a quiet space.

Employees can also undergo specialist training to become a Dementia Friends Champion and share new-found knowledge with the rest of the workforce to improve customer service.

Last year the Bolton News launched the Donate £1 for Dementia campaign to improve services for sufferers.

The dementia friendly business launch is a breakfast meeting from 8am to 9.50am in the Wanderers Suite, at the Macron Stadium, on Wednesday, February 24.

To register contact Sharon.jones@bolton.gov.uk or telephone 01204 337853.