The Association of Convenience Stores (ACA) is encouraging retailers and colleagues to become Dementia Friends to better understand and support customers living with dementia.
Findings from ACS’ Voice of Local Shops Survey revealed that around 4,500 independent stores have Dementia Friends working in-store.
ACS chief executive James Lowman (pictured) said, “Local shops operate at the heart of their communities and are lifelines for customers who may be more isolated or vulnerable and this has been particularly evident throughout the course of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We are pleased that thousands of our colleagues have committed to supporting those living with and affected by dementia and would encourage as many colleagues as possible to take the step to become a Dementia Friend to make a positive and long-lasting impact in their community.”
Colleagues can become Dementia Friends by visiting dementiafriends.org.uk/dforganisations and entering campaign code ‘ACS25’ before watching the short videos.
More information about how to become a Dementia Friend is available here: https://www.acs.org.uk/dementia-friends-campaign
ACS has also developed a Supporting Vulnerable Customers guide which provides retailers with best practice advice on how to better support vulnerable customers and colleagues in-store.