Announced in November, Dementia Friends is being led by the Alzheimer’s Society and aims to make everyday life better for people with dementia by changing the way the nation thinks, talks and acts regarding the condition.
The aim is to recruit one million Dementia Friends – volunteers who will make a difference to people living with dementia in their communities through simple actions – and thousands of Dementia Friends Champions, who will talk to people about being a Dementia Friend in their communities.
This week saw the start of a programme of free volunteer-led information sessions across England for people who want to become Dementia Friends. The sessions will help people understand what living with the condition might be like, and the small things that they could do to make a difference to people living in their community.
There are already 60 Dementia Friends and 30 Dementia Friends Champion sessions lined up across England over the next three months with more due to be announced. Details of sessions can be found on the Dementia Friends website.
The roll out is being jointly funded by the Department of Health and the Cabinet Office, as part of the Prime Minister’s dementia challenge.
Jeremy Hughes, Alzheimer’s Society chief executive, said: “With so few people feeling they know enough about dementia, we are so excited to be able to invite everyone up and down the country to become a Dementia Friend. Dementia Friends isn’t about creating experts, it’s about helping people understand a little bit more about what it’s like to live with the condition and then turn that understanding into action – anyone of any age can be a Dementia Friend.”
Meera Syal, speaking as an Alzheimer’s Society supporter for the first time, said: “One of my close family members has dementia and many of my friends have parents and grandparents living with the condition. I wanted to be a Dementia Friend so that I could start to think about how I can help in my community. I am particularly keen to raise awareness of dementia within the Asian community, indeed in all communities where people may not know what support is out there and available. Dementia Friends would be a great way to get people talking and to ensure that people with dementia can be included wherever they live.”
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