Law firm gives dementia sufferers friendly welcome
A LAW firm has spent 18 months transforming one of its offices into a dementia-friendly environment to help its clients.
Woodcocks Haworth & Nuttall (WHN) Solicitors has refurbished its Accrington base to meet the standards recommended by the Alzheimer’s Society.
The design includes distinctive paint colours to identify key features such as doors, woodwork and handrails.
Plain carpets and fabrics were chosen combined with furniture designed for comfort and accessibility.
Finishing touches of ambient lighting and non-glare blinds were added, with new clear signage throughout the building for easy navigation.
The refurbishment project was supervised by WHN’s private client department solicitor, Patrick Swanney, who is a member of Blackburn with Darwen, Hyndburn and Burnley Dementia Action Alliance and a Dementia Friends Champion, as well as a volunteer for the Alzheimer’s Society.
Patrick said: “This is a cause very close to my heart as my aunt was diagnosed with dementia five years ago.
“I wanted to learn more about how I could help her and the local community, so I became involved with the Alzheimer’s Society.
“As a firm with a long track record of helping clients with dementia, it was important we made this investment.
Michael Shroot, chief executive officer at WHN Solicitors, said: “I’m proud of what we’ve achieved here.
“We’ve created a welcoming environment for all our clients to enhance our personal service.”
WHN is also set to expand after the appointment of three key ‘specialists’.
Head cashier Karen Trafford, IT manager Paul Medcalfe and conveyancing solicitor Joanne Haselden have recently taken up their new positions at the Woodcocks Haworth & Nuttall Solicitors offices in Accrington.