ILKLEY'S National Dementia Awareness Week events culminated with a special awards event at the Clarke Foley Centre on Friday.

Ilkley and Keighley MP Kris Hopkins was on hand to congratulate those organisations and businesses in Ilkley who have been recognised with Dementia Friendly Ilkley Action Recognition accolades.

They have completed action plans to say how they will work to be dementia friendly, such as staff and volunteers attending Dementia Friends sessions, and looking at how they can be more supportive when in contact with those living with the disease.

Also attending were representatives from Ilkley Fire Service, police, Abbeyfields Ilkley and Keighley and Ilkley Voluntary and Community Action, all who are already Dementia Friendly organisations.

Mr Hopkins began the evening by talking about the importance of improving awareness and understanding of dementia as more and more people are diagnosed with the condition, and the importance of removing the stigma and fear surrounding it.

He praised the efforts of Alison Eagle, Sylvia Bergin and the rest of Dementia Friendly Ilkley Action (DFIA), for the work they had done in making the town a much more Dementia Friendly Community during the past seven months.

This was followed by a conversation with Betty, her daughter Judith, and Sally from Enable Me, who offer aids and adaptations to keep people as independent as possible. Betty, as she approaches 90, talked and amused the audience with her experiences of living with dementia in Ilkley, praising the support she has, the understanding of shops and the activities she enjoys attending, including Let’s Sing Together.

Bradford Dementia Action Alliance Awards (DAA) were then presented by Cathy Henwood, from the Alzheimer’s Society, to: Dale Eddison, Easy Location Ltd, MASC Executive, Tesco Ilkley, The Clarke Foley Centre and Dementia Friendly Ilkley Action themselves. These organisations have achieved recognition by Bradford DAA.

DFIA presented their awards to those waiting to achieve that recognition: SpecSavers Ilkley, Santander Ilkley, HBS Electrical Limited, Ilkley Taxis, Edinburgh Woollen Mill, My Local Ilkley, Soroptimist International Ilkley, Hunters Ilkley, Ilkley Moor Medical Practice, Ilkley & Wharfedale Medical Practice, K Glazing and Ilkley Parish Council.

Ilkley Parish Council chairman, Cllr Brian Mann, closed the evening by saying this is only the start, and it is a priority of the whole of the community to make sure all those living with dementia, including carers, felt supported. He praised the work of the Clarke Foley Centre in providing a place of support and activities for those with dementia.