Wadworth pubs get behind Dementia Friend initiative

Wadworth, the independent family brewer and regional pub operator based in Devizes in Wiltshire has got behind the Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Friends campaign with its brewery and south west pubs attending Dementia Friend sessions. 43 people working in and running their Wadworth pubs have so far attended the sessions with more to come.  The sessions are being organised by Wadworth to ensure that people with dementia and their carers can enjoy their visits to a Wadworth pub and know their needs are better understood.

The Dementia Friend campaign is an Alzheimer’s Society initiative. A Dementia Friend learns a little bit more about what it's like to live with dementia and then turns that understanding into action - anyone of any age can be a Dementia Friend. Those attending the Dementia Friend sessions learn more about dementia and the small ways they can help. The Wadworth face-to-face sessions are being ran by Wadworth’s own Dementia Friend’s Champion, Marie Wood who also looks after the brewery’s training and development programme.

Chris Welham, CEO of Wadworth said, “We meet members of the public in our pubs and brewery visitor centre every day and it’s important that every customer has an enjoyable experience when they visit us.  With our team members, managers and our business partners having a better knowledge of dementia and how their action can help, and support individuals affected makes it a better experience all round for everyone”. 

The Alzheimer’s Society has over 2 million Dementia Friends and if Wadworth can play a part in helping the way people act, think and talk about the condition and help those affected by dementia from not becoming socially isolated, then it’s been a success.  I would encourage any business and those running a hospitality business who deals with the public to get behind the Dementia Friend initiative – it can only benefit everyone”.

Dementia is the biggest health and social care crisis facing society today. Someone develops the condition every three minutes and too many are facing it alone. Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Friends initiative was launched in 2013 to tackle the stigma that often results in people with dementia losing friends and being socially isolated.  Since then it has been transforming the way people act, think and talk about the condition in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Pictured: Wadworth managers, business partners and teams attending a Dementia Friends session and the Dementia Friend logo

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Press Contact: media@wadworth.co.uk

About Wadworth: Wadworth is an independent family brewer and regional pub operator, very proud of its West Country roots. Founded by Henry A Wadworth, the business passed to his founding partner John Smith Bartholomew and is now in the fourth-generation of ownership by the Bartholomew family. Wadworth has created original beers at its brewery in Devizes, Wiltshire since 1875 and is one of the few remaining family brewers to deliver to the local area using shire horses. It also has a 200-strong pub estate and works hard with its business partners and managers to ensure that the pubs offer a warm and welcoming atmosphere, quality food and drink and excellent accommodation to make their customers’ days.