WIMBORNE is moving to become a more ‘dementia-friendly’ town after it introduced a new ‘Use our Loo’ scheme.

The initiative launched by East Dorset District Council has already seen The Butcher’s Dog presented with a certificate and signage by Cllr Sue Cook, Mayor of Wimborne and chairman of the Wimborne Dementia Friendly Community.

The ‘Use our Loo’ scheme was introduced by the Public Health Team to support people affected by dementia. Christchurch and East Dorset councils joined forces with Alzheimer’s Society to develop the project, and subsequently approached local businesses to take part. The idea for the initiative came from the steering group after a walk around the town to see how dementia-friendly Wimborne was.

The Butcher’s Dog hosted a launch of the scheme earlier this month with Cllr Cook, Paula Best from Alzheimer’s Society and Rachel Taylor from East Dorset District Council. Laura Green and John Hewitson from The Butcher’s Dog said they were proud to support the project.

“The team at The Butcher’s Dog are pleased to be able to contribute to the project by offering our facilities to those who need them. We understand how important access to facilities can be to a person’s health and dignity and we are grateful to East Dorset District Council and the Wimborne Dementia Friendly Community for delivering and promoting this simple but practical project.’’

Sorrels, Waitrose, Wimborne Model Town, ClaRC (Community Learning and Resource Centre) and The Kings Head Hotel have also signed up to the initiative.

Cllr Cook said: “As Chairman of Wimborne Dementia Friendly Community, I am delighted with the ‘Use Our Loo’ project. My thanks to East Dorset District Council and Alzheimer’s Society for driving this forward, adding to the town’s already excellent reputation of being dementia aware. I hope more businesses will be encouraged to join the scheme.’’

Paula added: “Through consultation with people affected by dementia, one of the barriers to a person leaving their house is needing to use the toilet. By introducing the ‘Use our Loo’ scheme, this will enable people affected by dementia to still use businesses in their community and not worry about where the toilet facilities are.”