JULIE Lintern has been appointed manager of Dementia Friendly Keighley (DFK) as it prepares to reopen some services following lockdown.

The appointment is welcomed by chairman Jan Smithies, who said it would greatly strengthen the organisation as it moved into a new phase.

“Julie is well known around the town through her years of work at Central Hall – and within the third sector due to her previous role at Age UK – and comes with masses of contacts and expertise that will really help strengthen us as an organisation,” she said.

“It’s a time of significant change for us, as we had to completely reorganise what we do and how we do it in response to guidance and safety requirements around the coronavirus emergency.

“Having someone with Julie’s experience on board as we move into a different phase is a great boost.”

She added: “We now plan to gradually reopen some of our services – such as the Dementia Support and Information Centre in Towngate – albeit on an appointment-only basis, but also to keep running our seven-days-a-week helpline and our online social and activity groups and home resources delivery service.

“Other new services to enhance what we can offer in terms of signposting to sources of help, and access to information and support, will be developed in the coming weeks too.”

Julie said she was delighted to join DFK.

“I have been supportive of the organisation for many years and now I’m able to dedicate more time to develop its potential to reach and support more people living with dementia and their carers,” she added.

Dementia Friendly Keighley can be contacted between 10am and 2pm, seven days a week, on 07452 773788.