Idle and Thackley could become the first dementia-friendly Bradford Council ward if the community gets behind the plan.

A public consultation has started with a meeting taking place later this month to get the views of residents and businesses about how to help those with the condition.

If that meeting is a success a steering group will be created to decide how to put the plans into action.

Those plans could include better signposting, training staff to help those suffering from dementia in shops and creating links with public transport operators to help sufferers get to their destination safely.

Ward Councillor and Liberal Democrats group leader Jeanette Sunderland said the area had a higher-than-average number of older people and a project to help those with memory loss would be welcomed.

She said: “We asked at an earlier meeting what people would be up for doing, whether that is training to understand what dementia is and what to look out for.

“We had a meeting before Christmas with officers from Alzheimer’s Society and the Neighbourhood Team which was talking to businesses and finding out if they want to get involved with the project.

“It would involve making staff in shops aware of signs of dementia and what they could do to help that person.

“Our new Idle business centre will have a wellbeing cafe and we will look at how we can make Idle more dementia friendly.

“That could be looking at public transport, how things are signposted and how to help those living at home.

“We want to address what is happening to people and their families when someone has dementia.

“Once we have approval from the community we will create a steering group with all those organisations wanting to take part and see how we can all work together.”

Anyone who lives, works or runs a business in Idle village is invited to take part in the event, titled “How can we make Idle a better place for people living with dementia?”

Cathy Henwood, of Bradford Alzheimer’s Society, said: “This is the first pilot area of our ward based dementia-friendly community work, which we will be rolling out with the help of Bradford Council ward staff and councillors across the district over the next couple of years.

“We now need local people to come together to discuss how Idle can become an even more supportive and friendly place for people living with dementia.

“The event will help people understand a little more about dementia and how we can all play a part in making Idle a dementia-friendly village.

“Simple things like having a little more patience and offers of help can make a big difference to people with memory difficulties and those who care for them.”

The plan comes months after five organisations pledged to do more to help people with dementia and their carers live well.

The Co-operative Group, Bradford Church of England Diocese, Shipley-based Health Action Local Engagement, community arts organisation The Hive and Bolton Road Gurdwara have joined forces to support those with dementia by taking steps to make their services more accessible.

That project was created by the Alzheimer’s Society project which is supported by Bradford Council and was unveiled at City Hall in June.

The public meeting where people are encouraged to give their views on the plan takes place at Idle Baptist Church in Bradford Road, on Saturday, January 26 from noon to 3pm.