Employees at pensions and employee benefits consultancy Quantum Advisory have become Dementia Friends as part of its commitment to supporting its workforce.
Set up by the Alzheimer’s Society, the Dementia Friends initiative was designed for organisations to increase public awareness of the illness and encourage positive actions to support those affected, so that people living with it can continue to live in the way they want.
Quantum Advisory employees will have the opportunity to learn more about dementia to improve their understanding and better assist their colleagues impacted by the condition. They can also run Dementia Friends sessions and activities, such as volunteering, campaigning and fundraising, to improve awareness.
Organisations can roll out the initiative to their workforce in different ways depending on what works best for them. Employees can wear a Dementia Friends badge to highlight that they can offer support.
Jemma Jurgenson, head of administration at Quantum Advisory, said: “With a rising life expectancy in the UK, we recognise that more people will live with medical conditions later in life, including dementia. Our teams have also undergone specialist training with the Alzheimer’s Society to help them identify signs of dementia and adapt our services accordingly.
“Ensuring that vulnerable people receive the right support is a fundamental part of our role, and this initiative reinforces our commitment to treating staff with empathy and care. Our latest satisfaction survey shows that over 97% of members believe we met or exceeded their expectations, demonstrating the real impact of our approach.”
Izzy Driscoll, HR advisor at Quantum Advisory, added: “Offering our employees the opportunity to become Dementia Friends was a natural and meaningful initiative, allowing them to deepen their understanding of dementia and, in turn, discover practical ways to better support people. This all enhances their ability to perform their roles with even greater empathy and effectiveness.”