SOUTHAMPTON has been recognised for its work in creating a ‘Dementia Friendly City’.

Charity, Alzheimer’s Society, has praised Southampton’s efforts in making the city a welcoming place for people with the chronic condition - which affects an estimated 850,000 people nationally.

It follows a programme of work supported by Southampton City Council and Southampton Clinical Commissioning Group.

The two groups have established Dementia Friendly Communities in Southampton, where people with dementia are ‘understood, respected and supported’.

As well as creating 5,760 ‘Dementia Friends’ in the city, who understand the needs of those with the chronic condition, Dementia Friendly Communities have also been formed.

New communities have sprung up in Shirley, Lordshill, Lordswood, Bevois, Bargate, Bassett and Bitterne Precinct.

They joined the existing communities across the city in Portswood, Highfield and St Denys.

Businesses have also been signing up to show their support.

Southampton Football Club and Southampton Airport are the latest in a long list of high profile names to take part in the local Dementia Action Alliance.

Alongside 79 other businesses, they have pledged to make changes that can make the city more accessible to those with dementia.

This can include making physical changes to store layout, training staff and running support groups or raising awareness of the condition.

Southampton City Council cabinet member for health and community safety, Dave Shields, said: “It’s great to see the progress the Dementia Friendly City Project has made and the support it has garnered from the community is amazing.

“Dementia is one of the leading causes of death in the UK and has a huge impact on families in the city.

“We need to continue this great work with the Alzheimer’s Society to gear up businesses and communities to be able to support people to feel safe and comfortable as they go about their everyday life.”

Alexandra Baker, Dementia Friendly Communities Coordinator, added: “I’m incredibly proud of this achievement and the progress we’ve made in making Southampton a dementia-friendly city.

“There is still work to be done but we have mobilised thousands of people across the city now to help support those living with dementia and their families.”