Dementia Awareness Training – Belfast Harbour Police and Lagan Search and Rescue

Ahead of Dementia Action Week, BHP and LSAR received training to enhance water safety for everyone in our community and provide support for people who are most vulnerable
Officers and volunteers from Belfast Harbour Police (BHP) and Lagan Search and Rescue (LSAR) received Dementia Awareness training from Belfast City Council staff, on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Society.

The training provided over 30 volunteers and staff with information on the symptoms of Dementia, to enable them to understand and communicate with people with the condition, and who may require assistance.

As first responders to incidents around the City’s waterfront, Belfast Harbour Police and Lagan Search and Rescue work in partnership to enhance provision for water safety in the area and support the increasing number of tourists, leisure visitors and residents within Belfast Harbour.
They are also involved in providing visible community policing and water rescue and lifeboat services at large public events in Belfast Harbour and the Titanic Quarter area, as well as searches for missing or vulnerable people.

Highlighting the importance of the training, Brooke Garret (Head of Medical, LSAR) said: 

“This training has been invaluable in raising awareness of the symptoms of Dementia, and in helping to equip our volunteers and BHP Officers with the skills to engage and communicate more effectively with people with the condition.”

“The training will support us as we work closely with BHP to enhance water safety for everyone in our community and provide support for people who are most vulnerable.”