10 Jan 2019
GLL to make its leisure centres more dementia-friendly
BY Tom Walker
Leisure operator GLL has revealed plans to make its 14,000-strong workforce "dementia-aware" in order to make its 350 public facilities more accessible for those living with the condition.
Staff across the social enterprise's network of leisure centres will receive training through a series of staff conferences – in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society – resulting in GLL staff becoming "Dementia Friends".
Dementia Friends is an initiative ran by the Alzheimer Society designed to inform people about dementia and empower them to "turn their understanding into action".
GLL is also making adjustments to its physical spaces by installing dementia-friendly signage at its leisure centres to allow simpler navigation around buildings.
The programme forms part of GLL’s wider social commitment to increasing accessibility for people living with dementia at its centres across the UK.
“GLL exists to provide inclusive, accessible facilities in communities across the UK, so it is crucial that our centres are accessible and welcoming to all," said Caitlin Thomas, corporate health manager at GLL.
“Having so many of our staff take part in Dementia Friends sessions shows commitment to understanding the specific needs of our visitors, to help get more people more active more often.”
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