1. The National Dementia Declaration lists seven outcomes that the DAA are seeking to achieve for people with dementia and their carers. How would you describe your organisation’s role in delivering better outcomes for people with dementia and their carers?

The service provided by Citizens Advice Luton is completely independent. We are therefore able to offer impartial advice to all clients and to take up any issue with the appropriate authority on behalf of individuals or groups.

The service provided by Citizens Advice Luton is impartial. It is open to everybody, irrespective of ability, age, gender, gender identity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation and social or economic status. Advice and help will be given on any subject without any preconceived attitude on the part of the bureau.

The two aims of the CAB service are equal.

Bureaux are in a unique position to exercise an influence both locally and nationally. It would be irresponsible to fail to analyse or to pass on evidence of poverty, ignorance, injustice or inefficiency of administration which may be acquired in the furtherance of the research and campaigns aim "to improve the policies and practices that affect people's lives".

It is the duty of the service to comment on policies which adversely affect its clients. Each issue must be handled in a non party-political manner and requires sensitivity of approach.

2. What are the challenges to delivering these outcomes from the perspective of your organisation?

The CAB service requires that personal views do not:

impair the objectivity of advice and assistance given,

or restrict its availability or deter sections of the community from making use of the services of bureaux,

or deter funding authorities from helping bureaux to achieve their aims.

It is, therefore, essential that all staff and volunteers have sufficient training to fully understand the implications of living with dementia or being a carer of someone with dementia.

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