A COMMUNITY group is planning to stage a dementia-friendly nativity play.

The West Rainton and Leamside steering group was recently named Dementia Friendly Community of the Year by Alzheimer’s Society at a prestigious ceremony in London.

This week it will put on the play, A Midwife Crisis, with pupils from West Rainton Primary School and residents from Springfield Lodge Care home.

Group member Emily Burns said: “Everything from the play itself, costumes, venue, environment, access, staff and volunteers has been considered to make it dementia-friendly.

“We’ve made lots of small adaptations to make it fully inclusive for anyone taking part, but also for those coming to watch.”

Members of group travelled to London on November 27 for Alzheimer’s Society’s annual Dementia Friendly Awards event, hosted by journalist and TV’s Loose Women panellist, Jane Moore.

Judges were impressed with the progress the group has made in bringing the community together and heard how they had created 135 new dementia friends, aged seven to 88.

Group member Maureen Storey said: “We couldn’t be more proud to be involved in the fantastic work being done by Alzheimer’s Society to raise awareness and support those living with dementia.”

The group’s performance of A Midwife Crisis will take place at St Mary’s Church West Rainton on Wednesday, December 18, starting at 3.30pm.