A drive by pupils has seen Longton-based St Paul's CofE Primary School become the first Dementia Friendly school in Stoke-on-Trent. 

The efforts have been fronted by staff member Miss Rollin, who initially organised fundraising activities to support Approach Staffordshire and The Alzheimer's Society. 

Children then visited a local care home to spend time with people suffering from dementia. 

Becoming a Dementia Friendly School means adhering to three criteria; embarking, embedding, and extending, which empowers staff and pupils alike about dementia and how they can recognise and support people in their communities.

Following a grant of £10,000 from Severn Trent Water, the school has also recently completed a brand-new community-focused extension which has become a hub for their dementia-themed activities.

St Paul's CofE Primary School, Byatts Grove, Stoke-on-Trent (Google).

Cllr Ally Simcock, cabinet member for adult social care and health said: "By giving young people knowledge about dementia and having them interact with people with this condition we can help them better understand it and also empower them to be more compassionate within different parts of their community."

Hayley Boult, Teacher and Christian Distinctiveness Lead at St Pauls CE Primary School said: "St Pauls began this project 12 months ago, working with the Ormiston Academy with PSHE lessons about dementia and understanding different generations.

"The children learned about dementia and we also had a visit from Approach Staffordshire, which then morphed into organising two events. Firstly, we had a crafts workshop with our year five's then we had an event, organised and managed by three pupils, and collectively they raised £400 which was split between Approach and Alzheimer's UK.

"All the children involved have undertaken 25 hours of social action, raising awareness of dementia as well as interacting with different communities. The children have also attended Claybourne Care Home, creating memory boxes and interacting with the residents which were extremely well received."

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