Driving to work in spring 2014, I heard Radio Devon announce that they wanted to make Devon a dementia-friendly county. I knew that there were more working adults caring for elderly than children. Many would be caring for a person with dementia, but my experience showed that colleagues and management were generally neither aware of these responsibilities nor what it meant to care for a person with dementia.

By the time I arrived at Met Office HQ in Exeter, I knew I wanted to contribute by making the Met Office a dementia carer friendly workplace.

Met Office Executive Board, our 'Idea Street', Prospect union and colleagues throughout the organisation have supported and endorsed this ground-breaking initiative.

My plan was simple and I agreed to be its Ambassador. The plan involved training as a Dementia Friends Champion to increase awareness and understanding of colleagues (and in the community), setting up a Dementia Carer Network group (to include former and current carers, partners and colleagues from other organisations on site) and creating Carer Buddies for coffee and chat when needed.

I studied Principles of Dementia Care Level 2 through Unionlearn distance learning with Tribal, which gave me valuable insight and knowledge to support dementia carers. I absolutely recommend this course - I have been able to help many people as a result of studying it.

The initiative has been well received throughout the organisation, many and varied benefits being reported at all levels. We introduced drop in sessions for anyone who preferred one-to-one, as well as a phone-in option to join the network group for anyone off-site and a workshop to gather feedback.

Being inclusive has given us extra insight, especially from former dementia carers who are experts by experience. The wider organisation has benefitted from generic issues raised.

Having a focal dementia carer contact point has enabled colleagues to come forwards either to get or to offer help, not just dementia related. The Dementia Carer Friendly Met Office project was runner up in the APM Mike Nichols award for Inspiration in November 2015.

By leading other organisations to adopt this Met Office model, we are creating valuable partnerships. Stephens Scown Solicitors have been first to start up their carer network in November 2015.

In return for mentoring them, they have provided Lasting Power of Attorney talks and drop in legal sessions covering a range of topics. The feedback has been very positive. Several other organisations are looking at the model including IBM and Devon and Cornwall Police.

Visit the Building Dementia Carer Friendly Workplaces website to find out more and learn how your organisation can become dementia-carer friendly. This is not a tick box exercise. If you wish to follow this model, Senior Management endorsement and support for your Ambassador are Critical Success Factors.

I will be presenting at the TUC Health and Wellbeing conference in London on 26 February 2016.