A UNIQUE collaboration between charity and business enabled dementia sufferers to overcome anxiety about using public transport.

The Alzheimer’s Society teamed up with Virgin Trains and British Transport Police to organise an ‘assisted journey’ for those with the condition and their carers.

A group of around eight people with dementia enjoyed a train journey from Darlington to Durham, before spending time at the Beamish Open Air Museum.

The supported journey meant that the people with dementia, accompanied by carers and Alzheimer’s Society and British Transport Police staff and volunteers, were able to board a train for the first time since being diagnosed.

Andrew Ball, Dementia Action Alliance Project Manager for the Alzheimer’s Society, said: “This event was a huge success.

“It made it possible for people living with dementia to get out and about and see parts of the region they may not have had the confidence to visit without support.”

On arrival at Durham railway station the group boarded a bus to Beamish, where they spent the afternoon before their journey home.

Michelle Kindleysides, health and wellbeing co-ordinator at Beamish, said: “Lots of our staff have become dementia friends and we have a huge amount happening at the museum to support Dementia Awareness Week.

“We’re thrilled to have been involved in this event.”

Virgin Trains is carrying out several audits of stations to make journeys as dementia-friendly as possible.

The findings will be shared with other train operators.