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North West lawyer named ‘Dementia Friends Champion’

A specialist lawyer who is passionate about supporting people with dementia and improving understanding of the condition has been named a ‘Dementia Friends Champion’.

Kristina Smith, of North West-based Birchall Blackburn Law, has joined a nationwide drive by the Alzheimer’s Society to create four million Dementia Friends by 2020.

The role will see Kristina hold information sessions across Morecambe to encourage others to sign up to be a Dementia Friend, by giving them information about the personal impact of the condition and what they can do to help.

A Dementia Friend is somebody who, after learning more about the condition, turns that understanding into action, by telling friends about it and supporting people with dementia.

Kristina, a private client specialist, said: “Working in this area of law the subject of dementia is coming more and more to the fore. We are seeing clients who need support and assistance, especially concerning the early stages of dementia – when they don’t know where to go or what is available to them, whether it is support for themselves or a relative.

“When I became a Dementia Friend I found out about the different resources available and was able to sign post to various services and avenues of support.

“The aim of the information sessions is for them to be thought-provoking and interactive to help people to think about the condition and the best way to support people living with it.

“There are not many Dementia Friend Champions here in Morecambe but I’m hoping I can help to change that by speaking with various community groups and organisations including schools and colleges.”

Kristina is the firm’s third Dementia Friends Champion. Preston-based Rebecca Minto and Southport-based Eve Austin are also involved with the programme.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Laura Wild .