Member Article

Law firm offers training to staff to be 'dementia friends'

A regional law firm is offering awareness sessions to all its staff to become ‘Dementia Friends’ as it revealed its charity of the year.

BHP Law will support The Alzheimer’s Society with fundraising, awareness-raising and ensuring its staff have the latest information on the disease.

Two members of its team have qualified officially as Dementia Champions and are planning to host Dementia Friends Information Sessions for colleagues.

Solicitor Holly Naylor and Litigation Executive Rosie Woodward attended a Dementia Champions session after which they were approved by the assessor and can now run in-house information sessions, at the end of which attendees will become Dementia Friends.

Holly said: “Working in the wills, trusts and probate team I often work closely with those living with dementia. Having the tools and confidence to inform others of the disease will help me to work closely and support both those living with Dementia and their families.”

Rosie added: “With so many people being affected by Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, both directly and indirectly, it is an honour to be part of a growing initiative to give people the confidence to openly discuss what has been considered a taboo subject for many years.”

Rosie and Holly are also offering to host awareness sessions for other local organisations and companies to help spread awareness about the work of The Alzheimer’s Society.

The sessions for staff of BHP Law will be held in Darlington and Durham throughout September.

The firm will follow them with its first fundraising event in aid of the charity – a Memory Walk, which will be open to BHP staff, family and friends. Donations made via a JustGiving page will be match-funded by the firm.

Managing partner of BHP Law, John Pratt, said: “We are delighted to announce that our charity of the year is The Alzheimer’s Society, which offers advice and support to those living with Dementia and their families, information for professionals and funds research into this distressing disease.

“As a long-established law firm, we seek to assist our clients in any way possible, which can include dealing with illness. It is important that our staff have the necessary understanding and are fully equipped to support families where dementia is an issue.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sarah French .