Bank of Ireland strengthens Dementia inclusion with organisation wide training
4 June 2026: Bank of Ireland has announced a series of measures it is taking reinforcing its position as a dementia-inclusive organisation. It will begin displaying the ‘Dementia: Understand Together’ symbol across its branch network. Developed with people living with dementia at its core, the symbol signifies solidarity, visibility, and support, helping customers easily identify inclusive spaces.
In addition, the bank has undertook a large scale awareness session with over 860 colleagues taking part that featured powerful contributions from an individual living with dementia and his carer, alongside expert perspectives from Clare Duffy, Family Carers Ireland; Áine McCleary, Chief Customer Officer, Bank of Ireland; and Andy Heffernan, CEO, The Alzheimer Society of Ireland. The event marked a key milestone in building understanding and empathy across the organisation.
Latest figures from HSE National Dementia Services confirm that there are 64,000 people living with dementia in Ireland and the number of people with the condition will more than double in the next 25 years to over 150,000 underlining the importance of accessible, informed and inclusive customer services across all sectors.
Building knowledge, confidence, and inclusive customer experiences
As part of its wider programme, Bank of Ireland has developed a dedicated training course designed to equip colleagues with the knowledge and confidence to better support customers living with dementia and their families. It has delivered this targeted training to more than 360 employees to date, as part of its ongoing partnership with The Alzheimer Society of Ireland (ASI).
The training covers:
- Different types of dementia and their varied impact
- Common signs and symptoms
- Practical approaches to effective communication
- Ways to support more positive, inclusive customer experiences
Áine McCleary, Chief Customer Officer, Bank of Ireland, said: “At Bank of Ireland, we are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive experience for all our customers. Our partnership with The Alzheimer Society of Ireland is helping us build greater awareness and understanding of dementia across our organisation.
“By listening to lived experiences and investing in colleague training, we are equipping our teams with the knowledge and confidence to better support customers living with dementia and their families. The visible support we show for national initiatives like Understand Together helps to identify Bank of Ireland as an inclusive space. These are important steps in our journey and we are committed to continuing learning from our expert partners to better understand the condition and the practical steps we need to take to be accessible and inclusive.”
Andy Heffernan, CEO of The Alzheimer Society of Ireland (ASI), said: “The Alzheimer Society of Ireland are very pleased to support Bank of Ireland’s ongoing work and commitment to promoting dementia awareness right across their organisation. Our Learning and Development team have liaised closely with BOI for over two years now, and we are very encouraged by the progress they are making in becoming a dementia inclusive organisation.
“Holding regular briefings about dementia for their staff and rolling out an e-learning module are important steps in ensuring staff have a better understanding of the complexities of dementia, and we look forward to continued collaboration between the two organisations.”
These initiatives reflect Bank of Ireland’s broader focus on accessible and inclusive banking, ensuring all customers are supported with dignity and understanding.
Through continued collaboration with ASI, a key partner of the national Understand Together campaign and organisations like Family Carers Ireland, Bank of Ireland is helping to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and create more inclusive environments across both its workforce and branch network.