The Staffordshire Police Cadets are teaming up with the Dementia Friends scheme to ensure that people living with dementia get the best possible support.
Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Arnold arranged for the Police Cadets to be given training to become Dementia Friends so they can use their training to help friends and family understand what it’s like for people to live with dementia.
So far units in Stafford, Cannock and Burslem have all received their training with Tamworth and Longton arranged for coming weeks.
The scheme is part of a larger programme of work to see that those with mental health issues get the right support.
Mr Ellis is driving work with other agencies to make sure individuals who suffer mental health crisis in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent have access to suitable places of safety rather than being locked up in police cells. As a result, the number of people suffering from mental health issues being detained in police custody has fallen by almost 60 per cent since the start of this year.
Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Arnold said: “Across the country one in 14 people over 65 are living with dementia so it is fantastic that we were able to offer this training to the police cadets. It is so important that young people understand what it is like to live with dementia, the impact it has on a community and be aware of ways they can help a person who may be suffering.
“Mental health is a huge issue across the UK and in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent we are doing something serious about it.”
Dementia Friends encourage others to make a positive difference to people living with dementia in their communities by looking at actions big or small that can help and asking people to take dementia-friendly action.
The Dementia Friends scheme, which is funded by the Government, is aiming to reach a million Dementia Friends. For more information visit
