Bee Network staff to be given dementia training to make travelling more 'accessible and inclusive'

Hundreds of Bee Network staff members have started a programme of training with the Alzheimer’s Society in a bid to better equip frontline workers with the knowledge and confidence to support passengers living with dementia.

Around 540 staff working on the Bee Network will be trained by the end of the year, including customer service and security staff working on Metrolink, and staff at Travelshops, bus stations and interchanges and the Bee Network contact centre.

It’s part of a wider commitment by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) to mark UK Disability History Month, an annual opportunity to celebrate the achievements of disabled people, raise awareness of the barriers they face, and promote inclusion and equal rights.

Alongside dementia training, TfGM is working closely with partners such as its Disability Design Reference Group (DDRG), Breakthrough UK, and Cllr Rawlins as our Bee Network Committee Disability Advocate to ensure our services are shaped by lived experience.

The goal is for dementia training to be rolled out for all Bee Network bus drivers too. TfGM is working with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and bus operators to integrate dementia training into the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC).

The commitment to delivering dementia training for all Bee Network staff was made after TfGM was approached by local campaigner Dr Joy Watson.

Greater Manchester Transport Commissioner, Vernon Everitt said: “Making the Bee Network accessible and inclusive for everyone is critical. Many people living with dementia rely on public transport to maintain their independence and connection to their community, but they may need extra support to make their journeys.

“That’s why we’ve committed to all Bee Network frontline staff completing dementia awareness training and are making good progress in rolling it out. It will help our colleagues spot the signs of someone who might need help and equip them with the knowledge and confidence to step-in and provide that vital support at a time when it might be needed most.

“By the end of the year, all the Bee Network’s frontline staff will have completed the Alzheimer’s Society training and we’re working with the bus operators and the DVSA to ensure that our bus drivers receive the training too.”

Around one in 11 people over the age of 65 have dementia in the UK, with that age group accounting for around one in six trips made on the bus and tram network in Greater Manchester.

The Alzheimer’s Society training gives staff an understanding of dementia, helping them to recognise signs and symptoms and equip them to respond to the emotional needs of a person with dementia.

DVSA Chief Executive Loveday Ryder said: “We welcome this important training being introduced by Bee Network to support people with dementia.

“We’re delighted to support this initiative – and welcome the commitment to incorporate this into Driver CPC training for bus drivers.

"This training will ensure that staff have the skills to support people with dementia with dignity, patience and understanding."

Damien Chabas, Managing Director at Keolis Amey Metrolink, said: “Great customer service means making sure everyone feels welcome, valued and supported. Dementia awareness training has given our teams practical tools to better assist customers, and they’re already putting it into practice.

“We’re proud to be part of the Bee Network and focussed on making public transport in Greater Manchester more inclusive and accessible to all.”