Marlow businesses are being encouraged to get involved in a new project to help make the town more dementia-friendly.

Members of the Marlow Bridge Rotary Club launched a scheme last week to create a more dementia-friendly community as part of an Alzheimer’s Society programme.

The Marlow Bridge Rotary Club Dementia Friendly Committee, chaired by Paul Bolton and Shila Odedra-Silvera, is now looking for stakeholders to work with them.

Mr Bolton said: “We were delighted with the great attendance at the launch meeting, the keen interest shown and how enthusiastic everyone was to contribute to a superb launch of the project to Help Make Marlow Dementia Friendly.

“With a very enthusiastic audience, the event was a great success in starting off raising awareness of dementia across Marlow, looking at ways to offer support and having an open discussion on what could be achieved.

“It is all about how the town as a whole can come together to help those living with dementia, their families and carers but also to help the wider community in many ways.”

He added: “Since the meeting we have started to work on several initial aspects, particularly around furthering engagement with various stakeholders who are going to be the key to helping to get the project moving and developing.

“As part of this, it is essential we gain the effective involvement of the wider community. Ways to do this are going to be through the overall stakeholders, such as the Marlow Chamber, town council, businesses, community groups, charities, clubs and associations.

“We are already looking at setting up additional dementia awareness meetings, plus training for Dementia Champions who can help quickly take the various key messages out to a wider audience.”

The committee aims to bring together businesses and residents to make a difference to those living with dementia, engaging in awareness-raising activities and education and ensuring there is a “strong voice” for residents living with the chronic condition.

Mr Bolton added: “On the business side, it is essential for the project to seek engagement across the business community to help businesses with appropriate understanding and support.

“This project is not just about businesses in the centre of the town, of course, and to help this, we are delighted to have started off initial engagement with the Globe Park Business Improvement District to reach the businesses in that area as well.”

The Rotary club said it will not be just a Rotary project going ahead, with Mr Bolton saying the club was a catalyst to “get the project going” and then see where it can be taken by the various stakeholders in future.

The project has garnered the support of the town mayor Chris Funnell, and MP Dominic Grieve.

Ms Odedra-Silvera said: “Our goal is to make a difference. How much of a difference is largely dependent on how much help and support we gain from the people and businesses of Marlow.”

To get involved, email marlowbridgerotary@gmail.com or visit www.marlowbridgerotary.co.uk.