Mayor of West Yorkshire progresses pledge to help those with dementia

25 August 2022

In a visit to a Bradford care home Fern House this week, West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin reaffirmed her commitment to ensure older people's housing and related services are dementia friendly.

This work is being delivered through the Mayor’s Dementia Ready Taskforce, to address any gaps in support for people living with dementia in West Yorkshire.

The taskforce was established in March 2022 and includes local authorities, housing providers, the NHS, and charities from across the region. A recent report by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Housing and Care for Older People is guiding the work. The mayor’s visit to Fern House forms part of her work to understand the impact dementia has on housing needs and the scale of what needs to be done in West Yorkshire.

The mayor has made a commitment to ensure that people with dementia have the quality of housing they need to keep them safe, and to live well independently for as long as possible.

As part of the visit, the mayor met with members of the task force, including the West Yorkshire Housing Partnership, and representatives from the Department of Health & Social Care and the Abbeyfield Society to discuss further ambitions. This will help develop a dementia-ready housing strategy for West Yorkshire.

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire said:

“I was touched to visit Fern House this week where I saw the passion and dedication of staff. Dementia is such a cruel disease, which puts a great deal of stress and anguish on people and their families.

“That is why when I became Mayor, I pledged to do what I can to ensure people living with dementia are cared for with support, dignity, and respect.