Watford FC joins scheme to make businesses more accessible for people living with dementia
A new accreditation scheme aims to create welcoming spaces for people living with dementia
Watford Football Club has become one of 16 organisations in Hertfordshire to join a new accreditation scheme aimed at making services more accessible for people living with dementia.
The Dementia Friendly Hertfordshire Accreditation Scheme, set up by the County Council, encourages businesses and organisations make small but impactful changes, such as offering staff training, introducing clearer signage and creating quieter environments.
Eligible organisations that complete accreditation will be added to an interactive map on the Memory Support Hertfordshire website, providing families with dementia-friendly places such as cafés, sports venues, and public services.
Dave Messenger, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead at Watford FC said: “We implemented small changes like introducing bespoke dementia training for staff, ensuring access to accessible lifts & entrances, and new signage around the stadium to highlight club contact points where families and friends can discuss requirements for their loved ones.
“The process to get the Dementia Friendly Hertfordshire accreditation was seamless. We would encourage any organisation in Hertfordshire to visit the website and get the accreditation to open up their organisation or business to people living with dementia in their community.”
Jill Crowson, a volunteer at Watford Trust and Golden Memories, which is the club’s reminiscence programme aimed at those living with mild to moderate dementia, said: “I cannot imagine what it must be like for a carer to be sitting stuck indoors with nowhere to go. That must be awful. So, the more places that do the accreditation, the more places that are making people with dementia welcome.”
She added: “I think it will make a huge difference to a lot of people, and people that possibly have never considered coming to football before, as they can come with their carers.
“Football is all about memories, we all live on our memories and it's so important to people with dementia”, she continued.
Hertfordshire County Council estimates over 16,000 people in the county are currently living with dementia—a figure which could rise to more than 22,000 by 2040. The scheme has been developed to meet growing community needs and links to Hertfordshire’s wider Dementia Strategy.
Councillor Sally Symington, Executive Member for Adult Care Services at Hertfordshire County Council, welcomed the scheme's launch.
"The Dementia Friendly Hertfordshire Accreditation Scheme is a fantastic opportunity for local business owners to make their services more accessible," Councillor Symington said. "Living with dementia shouldn’t prevent residents and their carers from living fulfilling lives in their local communities."
Businesses and organisations across Hertfordshire, big or small, are encouraged to sign up to the scheme. Full details about accreditation and the growing map of participating venues can be found at hertfordshire.dementiafriendly.hoopd.co.uk or memorysupportherts.org.uk/dementia-friendly-hertfordshire.