Northumbrian Water backs Dementia Action Week

Northumbrian Water has urged customers to sign up to its priority services register, as part of Dementia Action Week.

The register offers a number of services, including having a nominated contact so that a family member, friend or carer can help with managing a customer’s account.

It also offers a password scheme, so customers know who utility workers are when they visit a home and a telephone interpreting service, if English is not a customer’s first language

Northumbrian Water can also arrange for a delivery of bottled water if the supply to a home has gone off for a sustained period, and customers are unable to go out and buy it themselves.

Dementia Action Week is a national campaign, which is organised by the charity Alzheimer’s Society and runs between 20 and 26 May.

It aims to end the awkwardness and create a more inclusive society for people affected by dementia.

According to the charity, there are up to an estimated 120,000 people living alone with dementia in the UK and this number is predicted to double to around 240,000 by 2039.

“We are passionate about delivering water without the worry to all of our customers, not just during Dementia Action Week but all year round,” said Northumbrian Water’s customer service director, Claire Sharp.

“We currently have over 70 employees who are ‘dementia friends’ and help raising awareness and understanding thought the business, so that people living with dementia can continue to live in the way they want. The ability to be able to give our customers a helping hand when they need a bit of extra support is something we are very proud of.”

The chief executive of Alzheimer’s Society, Jeremy Hughes, added: “Dementia Action Week is a rallying cry to businesses, communities and individuals across the UK to unite with us and help people with dementia live better lives.”