The Bluebird Care Dementia Friendly Business of the Year Award

Bluebird Care is delighted to announce the creation of the 'Bluebird Care Dementia Friendly Business of the Year' award at this year's Winchester Business Excellence Awards.

Having won twice at the Winchester Business Excellence awards, most notably winning last year's 'Service Excellence' Award, Bluebird Care have now created a brand new award for 2016.

The 'Bluebird Care Dementia Friendly Business of the Year' award looks to raise awareness of a condition that is very close to our hearts here at Bluebird Care - Dementia.

In Hampshire alone there are 20,000 people living with Dementia, with this figure looking set to double by 2030. Winchester was the first city in Hampshire to become a Dementia Friendly Community, with many of the city's shops and businesses signing up to the Hampshire Dementia Action Alliance.

We are now looking for the business that can best demonstrate how it has taken the steps to best adapt its working practices and environment to be Dementia Friendly to those living with Dementia, along with their Carers and families.

A Dementia friendly community is one where people with Dementia are enabled to live as independently as possible and to continue to be part of their community, but at the same time, are met with understanding and given support when they need it.

This award is open to all businesses; small, medium and large (with an operating address in the Winchester district), outside of the care sector that can demonstrate how they have made the necessary changes within their organisation to be Dementia Friendly.

This award will be presented to a company that can best demonstrate the following:

• How the business has adapted their environment and made visible adjustments to make them Dementia friendly.

• How the company’s staff have been trained to assist customers living with Dementia and their families.

• Evidence of providing Dementia friendly goods and services to the Winchester community.

• How the business has involved people with Dementia in their day-to-day activities, organised friendly events and/or made facilities available to them.

As a company that has won twice at these awards in previous years, we're testament to the benefits that this can have on a business. The shortlisted companies along with the overall winner will receive fantastic presence in the Hampshire Chronicle Newspaper - the awards' media partner.

Winning the awards demonstrated to our staff and customers our hard work and dedication. This has helped with staff and customer retention, as well as attracting new staff and customers which has had a very positive impact on our bottom line.

If you would like to enter this award, please click here to apply online, or alternatively contact us for an application form. Please note that the final date for entries is Friday 26th February. 

We are encouraging all eligible businesses to apply for this award and we look forward to a more dementia friendly community!