TORFAEN’S library services are set to become the first in Wales which has ‘dementia friendly’ accreditation, following a ceremony in Cwmbran.

Dementia friendly status relates to the practical set up of a particular building as well as the staff within the premises and their combined ability to handle sufferers of the condition.

Over the next six months, the service will continue working towards a series of goals set by the Alzheimer’s Society, who help determine dementia friendly status, to become the first fully dementia friendly library service in Wales.

Ian Thomas, Gwent’s dementia friendly community co-ordinator, said: “We hope that Torfaen’s libraries are the first of many across Wales to take this step towards helping us build a dementia friendly nation.

“Increasing the understanding of library staff and improving the environment in terms of accessibility will have a meaningful impact on the lives of people with dementia who use these services."

As part of the ceremony, libraries in Torfaen each received a copy of ‘The Elephant Who Forgot’ – a book specially created by parents from the Caerphilly Parenting Network to help children tackle dementia, according to Mr Thomas.

“Libraries play a pivotal role in our communities in terms of encouraging social interaction,” he added.

“Our report, ‘Building Dementia Friendly Communities: A Priority For Everyone’, revealed less than half of people living with dementia feel a part of the community with many people with dementia reporting feeling trapped in their own homes and let down by their communities.”

Lynne Neagle, Torfaen’s AM, and borough councillor Mandy Owen were present at the ceremony, and the pair have supported organisations across the borough in being more dementia aware.

Christine George, Torfaen’s library and information manager, said: “We have an ageing population and know that some of our customers either live with dementia, or care for someone who does, and we thought it was essential that all of our staff have a good understanding of the condition.

“Over the next six months we will continue to build upon this progress, and work towards becoming Wales’s first fully dementia friendly library service.”

The accreditation will cover the three Torfaen libraries in Cwmbran, Blaenavon and Pontypool, joining other enterprises as Big Pit and Greenmeadow Community Farm as ‘dementia friends’.