Enfield Better Leisure Centres become Dementia Friendly organisations.
The number of people in London with Dementia is increasing and it is estimated that over 12,500 people in Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey and Islington (North Central London or NCL) currently live with the condition.
People living with Dementia can face challenges like memory loss, visual perception issues, restricted mobility and noise sensitivity, which can make everyday activities stressful. The NCL Dementia Friendly scheme is a partnership between Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey and Islington Local Authorities and North Central London Integrated Care Board. We are committed to improving the lives of people living with dementia and their families and carers and are inviting organisations and businesses across North Central London to sign up and get involved.
In a commendable move towards inclusivity and support for individuals affected by dementia, the Enfield Better Leisure Centres have recently achieved accreditation as a Dementia-friendly organisation in the Enfield borough. This initiative is a significant step forward in creating an environment that caters to the needs of people living with dementia and their caregivers.
The journey towards becoming dementia-friendly involved comprehensive staff training across all sites and a series of audits conducted by an ambassador from the Alzheimer’s Society. This partnership has been crucial in helping the leisure centres understand the unique challenges faced by individuals with dementia, enabling them to create a welcoming and supportive atmosphere.
In addition to training, the centres including Southgate, Southbury and Albany participated in audits that assessed facilities and services from a dementia-friendly perspective. These audits examined various aspects, including signage, accessibility, and the overall environment. The insights gained from these evaluations led to introducing measures to become more inclusive including improved signage that is clearer and easier to follow and creating more navigable space for those with cognitive challenges.
To keep in line with the accreditation, Southbury will be hosting free Swim for All sessions for those living with dementia and their carers, as well as free sporting memories session in line with The Enfield Dementia Network’s, Dementia Action week being held 19th-25th May 2025. The sessions will pave the way for weekly dementia friendly sessions across the partnership.
To read more on the partnership between Better and The Enfield Dementia Network visit: