The Bee Network have launched the initiative to try and make public transport more inclusive and accessible.
Hundreds of employees, including Metrolink customer service and security teams and staff at bus stations and the Bee Network contact centre, have begun a dementia awareness programme with the Alzheimer’s Society. By the end of the year, it hoped that 540 staff members will have completed the training.
The initiative coincides with UK Disability History Month, an annual event which celebrates the achievements of disabled people and promotes equal rights. With this in mind, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is also working with its partners, including Breakthrough UK and Cllr Rawlins, the Bee Network Committee Disability Advocate, to ensure services reflect lived experience.
Plans are set to extend the programme to bus drivers, with TfGM working with bus operators and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to include dementia training in driver qualifications. The initiative follows a request from local campaigner Dr Joy Watson.
‘Making the Bee Network accessible and inclusive for everyone is critical,’ Veron Everitt, Greater Manchester Transport Commissioner, said. ‘Many people living with dementia rely on public transport to maintain their independence and connection to their community, but they may need extra support to make their journeys.
‘That’s why we’ve committed to all Bee Network frontline staff completing dementia awareness training and are making good progress in rolling it out.’
According to Alzheimer’s Society, around one in 11 people over 65 in the UK have dementia. That age group accounts for roughly one in six trips on Greater Manchester’s bus and tram network.
Loveday Ryder, chief executive of DVSA, added: ‘We welcome this important training being introduced by Bee Network to support people with dementia.
‘This training will ensure that staff have the skills to support people with dementia with dignity, patience and understanding.’
Echoing a similar optimistic tone, Damien Chabas, managing director at Keolis Amey Metrolink, remarked: ‘Great customer service means making sure everyone feels welcome, valued and supported. Dementia awareness training has given our teams practical tools to better assist customers, and they’re already putting it into practice.
‘We’re proud to be part of the Bee Network and focussed on making public transport in Greater Manchester more inclusive and accessible to all.’
Photo: Jonny Gios/UnSplash
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