Employees from Specsavers in March are hoping to help people develop an understanding of dementia and support customers who are affected by the condition by completing a dementia awareness programme.

Cambs Times: Dementia Friends from the March branch of Specsavers.Dementia Friends from the March branch of Specsavers. (Image: Archant)

Nine of the Broad Street store’s employees completed the programme, which means they will now be recognised as Dementia Friends.

As Dementia Friends, the staff will be able to offer advice and will try to raise awareness of the condition to their fellow staff and customers.

Trevor Clark, March Specsavers store director, said: “Being more aware of dementia is an incredibly positive development for our team and our offering to customers.

“I always thought dementia was all to do with someone’s memory – but it is much more than that. By uncovering the truth about dementia it really opened my eyes to how at Specsavers, when performing our daily duties, we can all take a little time to support and care.”

Dementia Friends is completed online and involves watching a series of scenario-based videos. The second is a classroom session which builds on the skills, helping participants to wage positive relationships with people with dementia.