Friends of ASI – Dementia Inclusive Communities
The Alzheimer Society of Ireland is rolling out its Friends of ASI initiative nationwide. This programme encourages individuals, businesses, and services to help create communities that are welcoming, supportive, and inclusive for people with dementia and their families.
Led by local volunteers and supported by The Alzheimer Society of Ireland , the initiative offers training, education, and awareness to break down stigma and foster understanding.
Who can be a Friend of ASI?
Everyone and anyone! A Friend of ASI learns about dementia and turns that knowledge into action – big or small – to support those affected in their community.
If you want to make a difference for people with dementia, you’re already on the right path.
Friends of ASI and Understand Together
Friends of ASI is working alongside the HSE’s Dementia: Understand Together campaign. Dementia: Understand Together, a national partnership between The ASI, HSE, Age Friendly Ireland, Age & Opportunity, Dementia Services Information and Development Centre, and Healthy Ireland, encourages community members and people living with dementia to make their communities more dementia-inclusive.
What is a Dementia Inclusive Community?
People living with dementia are among the most marginalised in our society and can often face social exclusion and stigma.
A Dementia Inclusive Community is one which can be described as a city, town or village where people with dementia are understood, respected and supported, and confident they can contribute to community life. In a Dementia Inclusive Community, people will be aware of and understand dementia, and people with dementia will feel included and involved, and have choice and control over their day-to-day lives.
Through empathy, support and collective effort, we can ensure that people living with dementia have a voice and a space in their community. I believe by working together, there is no limit to what we can achieve.
Head of Operations and Community Engagement, Siobhan O'Connor
Where are Friends of ASI building Dementia Inclusive Communities?
My dream is to see every village and town in Ireland become dementia inclusive.
Kevin Quaid, Chair of The Irish Dementia Working Group
We’re proud to roll out the Friends of ASI dementia-inclusive community development initiative across Ireland. With ongoing efforts in communities in Co. Cork, Co. Carlow, Co. Cavan, Co. Donegal, Co. Louth, Co. Meath, Co. Sligo, Co. Tipperary, Co. Waterford, Co. Westmeath, Co. Wexford, Co. Dublin, and counting, we’re helping build more welcoming and support environments for people dementia and their families.
Get Involved
Register your Interest in Friends of ASI
Do you have an interest in learning more about dementia and turning that awareness into action? We'd love to hear from you! Whether it's volunteering, fundraising, engaging in dementia awareness training or simply keeping up to date with what Friends of ASI is doing, there are many ways you can get involved and help to build a dementia inclusive community. We will support you along the way!
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Check out our other Community Engagement initiatives which play an integral role in our mission to build dementia inclusive communities:
Creating a Dementia Inclusive Generation TY Programme