With thousands of visitors each year, the team at Bempton Cliffs’s flagship nature reserve is constantly looking at ways to make visitors feel more at home.
As part their continual aim to improve the experience of those who come from all over the world to see the seabird spectacle, staff and volunteers took part in a Dementia Friends event, hosted by Tim Kirkup, a Dementia Champion, from Alzheimer’s UK.
The informative session covered how the condition can affect people, how it may manifest itself in behaviour and how to approach difficult situations.
Communications Officer, Maria Prchlik, arranged the visit:
‘Around 850,000 people in the UK suffer from some form of dementia which not only affects memory but also the ability to enjoy the things in life that others take for granted – such as a walk along the cliff tops. If we can help people experience the natural world just a little longer by understanding their needs a little better, we’ll all feel it’s been a ‘good day at the office’ ‘.
Other members of the Bempton team are also getting to grips with British Sign Language. A regular Wednesday afternoon meeting has seen the team progress from letters of the alphabet to useful phrases.
Volunteer John Bairstow is leading the learning sessions:
‘I was prompted to investigate BSL after meeting a number of people on our viewpoints with hearing difficulties. After undertaking online training, I felt confident enough to pass on the basic skills.
While we’re all still learning, some have put in a lot of effort and really taken to signing. And the entire group is currently learning to sign ‘We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year’ so we can film it for use on our social media channels’.
RSPB Bempton Cliffs is open over winter but the Seabird Centre will be closed from 24-31 Dec.