University of Queensland sets the new standard in being Dementia Friendly

The University of Queensland (UQ) has become the first university to be formally recognised by Dementia Australia as a Dementia-Friendly Organisation, an initiative that will inform research, raise awareness, reduce stigma and provide a supportive environment. 

The milestone was celebrated at a recent event at the university, which Dementia Advocates, Dementia Australia staff and Queensland Parliamentary Friends of Dementia Co-Convenors Ms Joan Pease MP and Dr Christian Rowan MP attended. 

The Dementia-Friendly University Initiative will incorporate specific training modules in health and medicine courses as part of a landmark project to help improve outcomes for people living with dementia and their families. 

Driving the initiative is a working group made up of staff from across UQ, Dementia Advocates John Quinn and Glenys Petrie, and Dementia Australia’s Marie-Louise Bone (Dementia-Friendly Communities) and Caylie Field (Centre for Dementia Learning). 

“Being part of the world’s first dementia-friendly university initiative at UQ has been incredibly meaningful,” Marie-Louise said. 

“At the heart of this initiative are our Dementia Advocates, whose insights and dedication have driven real change.”  

Find out more about this initiative in UQ’s media release.  

Pictured above 

Front row left to right: Jim Rogers, Dementia Advocate, Luke Moller, John Moller, Dementia Advocate, Kylie Johnson, Consumer Engagement Coordinator, Juanita Hughes, Dementia Advocate. 

Back row left to right: Susan Bridger, Peer Support Liaison Officer, Dom O’Leary, Dementia Advocate, Bill Leavey, Dementia Advocate, Dubhg Taylor, Dementia Advocate, Eileen Taylor, Dementia Advocate, Osk Lowe, Dementia Advocate, Sophie Ware, Dementia Advocate, Tara Quirke, Dementia Advocate, Glenys Petrie, Dementia Advocate, John Quinn, Dementia Advocate, Marie-Louise Bone, Community Development Officer.