Surrey Libraries help individuals and communities fulfil their potential and enhance their self-reliance by promoting access to literature, information, e-services and learning, in all appropriate formats, through its network of 52 libraries.

- Updated:
- 11 January 2018
- Local Alliances:
- Reigate & Redhill Dementia Action Alliance, Surrey Dementia Action Alliance
1. Action Plan
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?
Surrey Libraries are committed to providing support to those with dementia, their families and carers, and to the professionals working with them. We provide access to information and resources, including a Reminiscence Collection of materials specifically designed to stimulate memories and encourage conversation. We provide a safe and supportive environment for all and we are working with appropriate individuals and organisations to make library buildings more dementia-friendly. We want to ensure that library staff receive training so that they understand the needs of those with dementia and are better able to support them in their library. By joining the Reigate and Redhill LDAA, Reigate Library will be able to benefit from closer links with other organisations in the area, sharing good practice and working together to support those with dementia to continue an active life in their community.
2. What are the challenges to delivering these outcomes from the perspective of your organisation?
The main challenges to achieving our actions will be the current pressures on both staff time and budgets. Pressures on staff time may make it difficult to release staff for awareness training and budget restrictions may limit the changes we can make to the physical library environment. Library services have to deliver outcomes in a wide variety of different service areas.
Member website
Reigate Library2. Actions
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Ensure that library staff receive training so that they understand the needs of those with dementia and are better able to support them in their library use
Enable all staff to attend a Dementia Friends awareness training session
- Status:
- Initial Scoping
-
Work with appropriate individuals and organisations to make the library building more dementia-friendly
Carry out an environment audit and identify changes and improvements that can be made wihin existing budgets
- Status:
- Initial Scoping
-
Provide and promote relevant bookstock, resources and information for those with dementia, their families/carers and the professionals who support them.
Promote the resources both in the library and externally. Organise an activity or display for Dementia Awareness Week that will promote relevant information and resources.
- Status:
- Planning