Honiton’s fire crew has become ‘dementia friendly’ after working with the town’s Dementia Action Alliance group (DAA).

Heather Penwarden, the group’s chairman, recently ran a dementia awareness session at the station.

The station’s crew manager, Ed Lidster, said: “Honiton Fire Station is proud to be working alongside the Honiton Dementia Action Alliance to make our station dementia aware.

“We are always looking for ways to support and help our local public.

“We had a fantastic visit with Heather and going forward, will be able to better recognise and aid people living with dementia in our community.”

Several groups and organisations in Honiton have received information and guidance from Honiton DAA.

At the group’s annual general meeting held earlier this year, it was revealed that some 685 ‘dementia friends’ had been created.

The group is continuing to support more organisations to become dementia aware.

Heather said: “We are delighted to be working with our firefighters, who provide such a valuable service to our community.

“They are not only there at a time of great need if there is an incident but they also do important work with the most vulnerable members of our community giving fire prevention advice.”

Anyone who would like to become a dementia friend or is in an organisation that would like to join HDAA is asked to email Heather at Penwarden@btinternet.com

For more information about Honiton DAA and what it does, visit www.honitondaa.org.uk