Coleg Gwent has become the first educational establishment in Wales to have a ‘Dementia Friendly’ campus.

The City of Newport campus lights the way for further expansion of awareness sessions in the region, run by Dementia Friends.

Dementia Friends – coordinated by Alzheimer’s Society – aims to create awareness of the condition to give employees, care givers and society in general the understanding and assurance to approach someone affected by dementia.

The scheme has been adopted by various public facilities in and around the city, with the grand aim of making the Newport itself ‘Dementia Friendly’.

Gary Handley, City of Newport Campus Director for Coleg Gwent, said: “I am immensely proud that the Newport City campus of Coleg Gwent has become the first in Wales to be given Dementia Friendly status.

“By championing dementia awareness among students, staff and our community partners, we have made great strides in reducing the stigma associated with dementia.

“Gaining this award would not have been possible without the dedication and expertise within the college and particularly Alice Butler-Bright from the Health and Social Care department but also countless care and welfare professionals in the wider Newport area.”

Dementia Friends has been championed in Newport by Bluebird Care, a UK-wide care provider.

Praising the efforts of Coleg Gwent, Jane Bryant AM for Newport West, added: “My Grandmother had dementia, so I personally realise how important this accolade and the training of Dementia Friends is.

“It’s really important that people learn about dementia at an early age because there will sadly be a time of their lives when they will have some experience with it if they haven’t already.”