First Bus East & Alzheimer’s Society Launch Dementia Awareness Leaflet to Support Bus Drivers and Passengers
First Bus East, in collaboration with dementia support charity Alzheimer’s Society, has launched a new dementia awareness leaflet aimed at supporting bus drivers in assisting passengers living with dementia.
The leaflet, titled Understanding and Assisting Passengers with Dementia: A Guide for Bus Drivers, provides practical guidance to help drivers recognise the signs of dementia and offer appropriate support.
The initiative is designed to make bus travel more accessible and inclusive for individuals living with dementia, ensuring that they can travel with confidence and dignity. The leaflet highlights key reminders such as allowing extra time for boarding, using clear communication, and offering gentle assistance when needed.
The Alzheimer’s Society estimate that nearly 23,000 people over the age of 65 are living with dementia in Essex, and by 2030 this number is set to increase by 33%.
Jonathon Hunt, Operations Director at First Bus East of England, said: “We are proud to partner with Alzheimer’s Society to launch this important resource for our drivers. Bus travel is a lifeline for so many, and we want to ensure that those living with dementia feel safe, supported, and respected on their journeys.”
Michelle Burrows, Service User Involvement Officer at Alzheimer’s Society, added: “Public transport is essential for people with dementia to maintain their independence and connection with the community. This leaflet is a great step towards making that experience more inclusive and understanding.”
Sheila, who cares for her husband Robin, who was diagnosed with dementia 10 years ago, said: "It is essential that Robin is able to travel freely and in a comfortable manner whilst using the bus services. It means that he can continue to get out and about to enjoy doing the things he loves. It makes the journey more pleasurable with a caring and understanding driver."
First Bus remains committed to making its services accessible to all passengers, regardless of age or ability. This leaflet marks another step in ensuring that everyone can travel comfortably and safely.
To access a copy of the leaflet click here, or for more information or support relating to Dementia, please contact Alzheimer’s Society at 0333 150 3456.
Notes to editors
Picture Caption L-R: First Bus Driver Dave Shipley, First Bus Operations Director Jonathon Hunt, Alzheimer's Society Michelle Burrows, First Bus Driver Ciaran Allers, and Colchester bus users Sheila and Robin.
About First Bus
At First Bus, we’re on a mission to grow bus usage – so we’ll get behind initiatives that move people out of cars and onto the bus.
We’re one of the UK’s largest bus operators, transporting more than 1.5 million passengers a day. Our local bus services serve more than 25% of the population of Great Britain and over half of the UK’s top 15 most populated urban areas.
We are a leading operator in the majority of our local areas, including major urban centres such as Glasgow, Bristol and Leeds.
We have proudly launched our First Bus London operation and now operate 83 routes in west and central London from 10 garages serving 180 million passengers annually.
The combined operation now manages a fleet of over 5,750 buses across the UK.
Transforming our business for the better, we’re putting our people and customers at the heart of everything we do. That’s why we’re the UK’s largest national bus operator to achieve real Living Wage employer status, cementing our position as an employer of choice in the sector.
First Bus is committed to operating a zero-emission bus fleet by 2035. We will have over 1000 zero-emission buses in operation across our UK fleet by the end of 2025.
We’re passionate about giving back to the communities we serve, which is why we’re helping local businesses to progress their decarbonisation journeys – giving them access to our charging hubs while our buses are on the road.
We also operate, Specialist Passenger Solutions, First Travel Solutions, York Pullman Bus Company, Lakeside, Ensignbus, Anderson Travel - and the Aircoach network and Matthews in Ireland.
First Bus is a division of FirstGroup.
Find more information on our website here: https://news.firstbus.co.uk/