Neasden Temple visit
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Neasden Temple
Cuimhne Champion, Carmel Murphy writes:
During Dementia Action Week, on Tuesday 21 May, Tina Bolger and I attended a Multi Faith Conference on Dementia (a conversation between all Faiths in Brent), at Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Hindu Temple) in Neasden. Attendance included a cross–section of community: people with dementia, carers/families, volunteers, and leaders of different faiths, Brent Council, Brent Public Health and Brent Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).
We had interesting discussions and shared many valuable ideas and suggestions to help progress inclusion of people living with dementia. We discussed how to make buildings and places of worship more accessible for people living with dementia. We also talked about the importance of making leaders, congregations and communities more aware of health, safety and wellbeing issues for everyone, especially for people living with dementia.
Making a place of worship an accepting and welcoming place irrespective of differences might include setting up:
dementia & cultural awareness training for leaders, management committee members and volunteers
training for volunteers to create a dementia aware welcoming team
clear signage sensitive décor, good lighting
a quiet private space to relax and feel calm social and welfare activities that help promote health and wellbeing
sign posting, clearly displayed in appropriate colours
Overall, it was a good meeting, inside a beautiful marble Temple, ending with a lovely Indian vegetarian lunch.