Club praised for inclusive, dementia-friendly commitment

Worcestershire County Cricket Club has been named a dementia-friendly venue by Worcester Dementia Action Alliance, and the Worcestershire Cricket Foundation hosts a Memories Café for people affected by dementia.

Worcestershire County Cricket Club has been chosen by Worcester Dementia Action Alliance as its latest dementia-friendly venue. The alliance's mission is to make Worcester more dementia-friendly and help people live fulfilled, independent lives. The Worcestershire Cricket Foundation runs a Memories Café at Visit Worcestershire New Road every fortnight in winter, with a break over the summer. Club staff are starting training this month and the club says it is making practical changes, clearer signage and a quiet area to support people living with dementia. Known details: - Worcester Dementia Action Alliance selected the club as a dementia-friendly venue and works to improve dementia-friendly support across Worcester. - Worcestershire Cricket Foundation hosts a Memories Café every fortnight in winter at Visit Worcestershire New Road, open to the community. - Alliance representative Jan Morris praised the club's work and said the grounds were reviewed for potential hazards or challenges for people with dementia. - The club named Cheryl Instan-Smith (safeguarding and EDI lead) and Sophie Marchbank (HR and business assistant) as staff leading the agenda, with staff training due to start this month. - A club spokesperson said practical improvements, staff training, clearer signage and a quiet area are part of an ongoing commitment to support people living with dementia. Summary: The designation recognises steps by the club and partner organisations to make the ground and services more accessible and supportive for people living with dementia. The next stated step is staff training this month, and the organisations describe the work as ongoing to improve experiences across the community.