A COMMUNITY rehabilitation exercise specialist is helping to make Lechlade and Fairford dementia friendly communities.

Lucy Brooks is also a trained Dementia Friends champion and is hoping to deliver sessions to businesses, schools, groups and the general public in the two towns and surrounding villages.

The Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Friends programme is the biggest ever initiative to change people’s perceptions of dementia.

It aims to change the way people thinks, acts and talks about the condition.

Simon Cribley, Watch Manager at Fairford Fire Station said: " Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service has been a part of the Dementia Friends scheme for a few years now.

"It is important to be aware of everyone's needs when dealing with emergencies and delivering Safe and Well Visits. "The skills learnt from the Dementia Friends sessions come in very useful."

To help makes the communities dementia friendly, Lucy is holding the sessions free of charge at Fairford Fire Station and The Riverside Pub in Lechlade next month.

Mark Bostock, station manager added: “Making the best use of our stations and working with our partners is extremely important to us.

"We are delighted to be able to support the Alzheimer’s Society by offering our fire station as the venue for these sessions".

Public sessions will be held at Fairford Fire Station on Wednesday, November 7, at 7pm, and Sunday, November 11, at 2pm.

There will also be a session in Lechlade, on Wednesday, November 14, at 7pm, at the Riverside Pub.

To book your place email Lucy at info@revitalisewithlucy.co.uk.

To learn more about Dementia Friends, go to bit.ly/1bvKoL2.