TWO Blaenau Gwent theatres have become the latest places to be awarded ‘dementia friendly’ status by the Alzheimer’s Society.

Beaufort Theatre in Ebbw Vale and the Metropole Theatre in Abertillery, both run by Aneurin Leisure Trust, have both received certificates.

A number of organisations across the county borough have already committed to the scheme.

The aim is to create dementia friendly communities where people with the disease are understood and supported in their daily lives as they come into contact with a range of services and situations, including arts, leisure, shops, voluntary and faith groups, emergency services, health and social care and housing and transport.

Paul Selway, manager of the Metropole cultural and conference centre in Abertillery and the Beaufort Theatre, said: "All our staff thoroughly enjoyed attending the course and agreed it has given them a better insight into understanding dementia."

So far Wetherspoons in Tredegar, Tai Calon Community Housing and United Welsh Housing have all signed up as "dementia friendly".

Councillor Haydn Trollope, Blaenau Gwent council’s dementia champion, said: "With an ageing population will come different opportunities and different challenges. Dementia is a major concern with one in 14 people over 65 years of age reported to be living with the condition, however it will have a great impact on family members who will take on a caring role for loved ones."

Cllr Graham Bartlett, executive member for social services, said: "The more people we can encourage to give up a little of their time and become a dementia friend could make all the difference to dementia sufferers by empowering them.

"By becoming a dementia friend it can help people continue to live as normal a life as possible for as long as possible”.