Cheltenham's MP, Alex Chalk, will this week host an event aimed at improving Cheltonians awareness of dementia and its effects upon sufferers. He is supporting a national campaign to tackle the stigma and lack of understanding surroundingdementia, by welcoming an Alzheimer’s Society volunteer to run a free ‘DementiaFriends’ Information Session at the Municipal Offices at 10am on Friday 18th March for local residents to attend.
Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Friends programme is the biggest ever initiative to change people’s perceptions of dementia. It aims to transform the way the nation thinks, talks and acts about the condition.
Dementia Friends is about learning more about dementia and the small ways you can help. From telling friends about the Dementia Friends programme to visiting someone you know living with dementia, every action counts.
The one-hour Session will take place at Cheltenham Borough Council, Municipal Offices, Promenade, Cheltenham, GL50 9SA on Friday 18th March from 10am to 11am. People can quickly sign up by visiting www.dementiafriends.org.uk
There are currently 850,000 people living with the condition in England.
Alex Chalk, MP for Cheltenham said:
''Dementia is a cruel condition which affects an increasing number of people here in Cheltenham and across the UK. It is vital that as a society we have a better understanding what those people suffering from the condition are going through and how we can support them during this difficult period in their lives, which is why I wanted to host an awareness event here in Cheltenham.''
Aimee Packwood, Dementia Friends Regional Support Officer at Alzheimer’s Society said:
'‘Dementia touches the lives of millions of people across the country. Dementia Friends was launched to tackle the stigma and lack of understanding that means many people with the condition experience loneliness and social exclusion. It’s all about learning more about dementia and the small ways you can help. From getting in touch with someone you know living with dementia to wearing your badge with pride, every action counts.’'