DEMENTIA Friendly Petersfield put the spotlight on carers, hosting two workshops in Petersfield to help them learn more about non-verbal communication skills.
Run by the participatory theatre group Spare Tyre, the workshops in the Festival Hall took more than 30 carers through techniques to help improve their contact with people with dementia.
Event organiser Jeff Williams said: “It was a great opportunity for carers to understand more about how to use sensory skills to communicate with their loved ones or clients.
“The sessions highlighted the use of music or scents, but also how powerful touch, voice and body language can be in building a rapport between carers and those with dementia.”
The Dementia Friendly Petersfield campaign is aimed at making the town a friendly and understanding place to visit for people with dementia.
Since its launch last year, it has gone from strength to strength, with dozens of businesses, shops, and organisations, including Petersfield Police, Petersfield Town Council and Radian Housing, signing up.
The staff of those companies which sign up to the scheme attend a training session where they learn more about noticing the signs of dementia and how to help someone with the condition.
By carrying out the training, more people learn about dementia so that when a customer with the condition visits their business, they can make the visit a better experience for people living with the condition.
For information about Dementia Friendly Petersfield, go to www.dementia-friendly-petersfield.org.uk