!!!!BREAKING NEWS !!!!

National Trust Yorkshire Joins the Purple Angel Campaign

Thank you so much Kim Pennock for all your hard work in making this happen, such a prestigious group and such a huge step forward. Hopefully ALL Nat Trust properties will follow, Kim you are a star.

National Trust Press Release
Issued: Monday 20 October

National Trust working with Purple Angel to help raise Dementia awareness amongst staff

The National Trust has begun working in partnership with Dementia awareness organisation, Purple Angel, to help its York attractions deliver a supportive and welcoming service to visitors living with Dementia.

Places including Beningbrough Hall, Gallery and Gardens, Treasurer’s House, Goddards and the York National Trust shop have signed up to the scheme to ensure staff are briefed on the outward signs of Dementia and are able to support people living with the illness across all areas of their visit.

The partnership came together following a visit to the Trust’s Beningbrough Hall by North Yorkshire Purple Angel Ambassador, Kim Pennock, who explained further:
“My mum has Alzheimer’s and after struggling to find suitable places for us to visit together, where my mum would feel accepted, comfortable but most of all interested in the experience, I gladly accepted a trip to Beningbrough National Trust from York CVS.

The visit was exceptionally good for mum especially as it was during their wonderful exhibition to celebrate the war centenary. Mum enjoyed the tour, had a singalong with a guide and a chat about her brother having been in the RAF. This conversation in itself was incredible as my mum’s ability to hold conversation at that time was becoming very limited.

Onto the gardens and again the staff had a jolly chat with mum about the rhubarb they were cutting for the kitchen. All those prompted memories and the wonderful relaxed atmosphere gave both mum and I a very stress free happy day which will stay with me forever.

This in turn made me think why not approach National Trust and invite them to be dementia aware. As an ambassador for Dementia Awareness I am delighted they have accepted and that the staff and volunteers have embraced the Purple Angel campaign with such enthusiasm and care.”

David Morgan, general manager for the York area properties:
“We’re very pleased to supporting Purple Angel to raise awareness of dementia and helping people living with the illness look forward to visiting us. Planning what should be an enjoyable day can feel quite daunting if a friend, carer or family member has worries about how they will be welcomed to a visitor attraction and what they might experience. We strive to give all our visitors a fantastic day out. Our staff were very keen to be involved to ensure that they are able to communicate in a positive manner to identify individuals’ needs.”

Norman McNamara, Founder of Purple Angel said:
“The way the National Trust in Yorkshire have embraced the Purple Angel dementia awareness campaign is a great lesson to us all. Their actions of sharing and learning all about Dementia through the Purple Angel will not only benefit thousands of people in the future but also give them a better and more enjoyable experience when visiting the National trust properties.

This disease comes in many guises and forms and if the carers and relatives know that the National Trust staff have taken the time and are considerate enough to learn more about this awful disease so they can be of more assistance and understand the person’s needs a lot better, it will be so advantageous to all concerned.”

It is hoped that if the scheme is successful, it will be adopted at all National Trust places across Yorkshire.

About Purple Angel