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Electricity distributor Western Power Distribution (WPD) has joined forces with a charity that uses visual arts to support people with dementia.

The power company is helping Engage Cymru provide a training programme that encourages those involved in delivering visual arts-based activities to help dementia sufferers and their caregivers.

The training is led by experts in the field, and includes Dementia Friends training led by the Alzheimers society.

As part of its partnership with WPD, Engage Cymru is helping to promote the company’s free Priority Services Register – designed for customers who may need a little extra help if there is a power cut.

The register includes those who are medically dependent on electricity, who have a particular communication need or who may just find a power cut particularly traumatic, like some people living with dementia.

“We are thrilled to be working in partnership with WPD,” said Angela Rogers Engage Cymru co-ordinator. “This is the first time we have secured a business sponsor and partner.”

“The partnership will help us to build the capacity of the gallery and visual arts sector to deliver bespoke activity for those living with dementia and their carers through training and pilot taster sessions,” said Rogers.

Pilot taster sessions are taking place at the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery in Swansea and Oriel Myrddin, Carmarthen.

“We are extremely pleased to be working in partnership with Engage Cymru,” said Karen Welch, corporate communication officer at WPD. “We hope this project will help address some of the barriers and challenges faced by people living with dementia.”

For information about WPD’s Priority Service Register go to https://www.westernpower.co.uk/About-us/Priority-Services.aspx