Countryside Parks join the Alliance!

Hampshire County Council Countryside Parks have committed to become dementia friendly by signing up to the Hampshire Dementia Action Alliance and completing an Action Plan.

Hampshire County Council Countryside Service look after over 60 countryside areas within Hampshire including 5 County Parks. Their aim is to connect people with the countryside by providing good quality open spaces for people and wildlife to enjoy.

Going outside makes everyone feel much better, relieves stresses of everyday living and is a valuable source of vitamin D. Being outside allows people to exercise and benefit from sunshine and daylight. Walking outside reduces stress levels and increase people’s self esteem, allowing for activity and sociability as well as contact with nature.

Their Actions include:

• making their workforce, especially those who come into contact with customers, dementia aware by providing easily accessible dementia friends sessions for all staff
• having at least 1 Dementia Friendly Helper always on hand by including Dementia Awareness in their induction/training process
• linking in with local Dementia Action Groups (DAGs) to get feedback on how to help people affected by dementia access the parks, and to support/create events within the parks
• reviewing their sites to ascertain if there are any barriers to their enjoyment of the parks through 'mystery shopping' and feedback
• providing a programme of events across the parks aimed at people living with dementia.

Great news!