Islington has been recognised by the Alzheimer’s Society as a community working towards becoming Dementia Friendly.

There are around 1,500 residents living with a dementia diagnosis in the borough. Some of these people are in the early stages of dementia where the symptoms can be quite subtle.

During these earlier stages people with dementia can and do live independent and active lives within their local communities. As dementia progresses people with dementia may rely on others for much of their care, however, what they can do and how long they can do it for depends on the circumstances.  With more support and understanding people have a much higher chance of living well.

Islington Council is committed to making the borough a friendly and accessible place for someone living with dementia and their carers.  This important work is supported by Islington Mayor Cllr Janet Burgess and Cllr Nurullah Turan, Executive Member for Health and Social Care.

“It’s important that we create a safe and inclusive community in which people living with dementia can live as independently as they want to for as long as possible,” says the Mayor, who was a carer for someone with dementia for many years.

“We also want to provide a supportive environment for carers, family members and friends of people living with dementia. This is particularly important as people affected by dementia have experienced significant harm from the restrictions to social contact and reductions in services during Covid-19.”

The areas where Islington is working to be more dementia friendly are:

• Health and social care services
• Housing
• Business and shops
• Arts, culture, recreation and leisure
• Community, voluntary and faith groups.

If you want to help raise awareness and understanding, so that people living with dementia can continue to live in the way they want, you can become a Dementia Friend. There are 45 minute virtual sessions being run regularly by Volunteer Champions, find out more and book.

The Alzheimers society would also like to hear from people living with a dementia diagnosis and their experience of living in Islington. Please email to find out more.