Open University Partners with Asda to provide dementia training for colleagues across Scotland

Asda colleagues are to receive dementia training with The Open University in Scotland, as part of a new strategic partnership for stores across Scotland.

The partnership - the first of its kind in Scotland – will allow Asda Community Life Champions to receive in-depth training delivered by specialists from The Open University.

Throughout the training colleagues will acquire the skills they need to help make the lives of people with dementia easier, whether that’s in a shopping environment or other everyday situations in the community.  As well as using their new skills during their community work, the Community Life Champions will also share the tips, tools and techniques they have learned with their colleagues in-store to help make all Asda stores in Scotland more friendly for those suffering from dementia.

Rob McDougall, Regional Operations Manager at Asda, said:

At Asda, we want to play our part in building more dementia-friendly communities across Scotland.  That’s why we’re excited to launch our new partnership with The Open University in Scotland, which will equip Asda’s Community Life Champions with the skills they need to help support customers with dementia.

"Our Champions will share the tips, tools and techniques they have learned with their colleagues’ in-store to help make all Asda stores in Scotland more dementia-friendly. Asda is keen to develop the partnership further, and encourage other retailers and service providers to embrace learning about dementia to develop their staff.”

More than 88,000 people across Scotland suffer from dementia and this latest campaign is set to further raise awareness of the training available to help people living with the disease.

For more information contact: 
- Derek Goldman, Learning and Teaching Co-ordinator, The Open University in Scotland, 0131 549 7155, Derek.Goldman@open.ac.uk 
- Asda’s regional press office on 0131 225 2026 or asdapressoffice@havasww.com

The Open University has free online learning resources about dementia on its OpenLearn website: Dementia awareness: Can we reduce the risk?; Designing space for dementia care; and Global challenges facing dementia care.

The Open University also offers a 30-point credit course Dementia Care (K235)  and a 50-hour non-accredited, self-directed online course Improving dementia care (KG002).