Kingdom Centre becomes town’s first dementia-friendly business

The Kingdom Shopping Centre has been named the first business in Glenrothes to be recognised as being dementiafriendly through the Dementia Friendly Glenrothes initiative.

Launched last year, the initiative is a partnership between the Fife Health and Social Care Partnership and Alzheimer Scotland and aims to support people living with dementia to remain a valued part of their community. This includes supporting people to continue to shop, use public transport or visit places like local cafés or sports centres.

Councillor David Graham, health and social care spokesperson for Fife Council, said: “I very much welcome this initiative for Glenrothes and congratulate the Kingdom Shopping Centre on becoming the first dementia-friendly site.

“Supporting people living with dementia to participate fully in community life is vital.

Sharron McCormick, from the Kingdom Shopping Centre, added: “Every week we receive over a 100,000 visitors throughout our shopping centre and we want to make their experience as enjoyable as possible.

“When we were approached by the Dementia Friendly Glenrothes partnership, we quickly realised how important this initiative was and knew we had to get involved.”

Ms McCormick said most of the centre’s staff have become Dementia Friends, while the centre has also improved ramp signage to the Rothes Halls and will be rolling out Dementia Friendly Glenrothes campaign window stickers.

Businesses, services and community groups interested in getting involved with the Dementia Friendly Glenrothes can contact Amanda Hunter on 01592 803800.