Learn how to help someone with dementia

Matthew Brooks and Adam Mould are running free fortnightly Dementia Friends workshops, beginning this weekend.

The Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Friends programme is the biggest 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 the disease and the small ways you can help; from telling friends about the programme to visiting someone you know living with it.

Matthew and Adam are both Dementia Friends Champions and are determined to do their bit to spread the word.

The sessions in Alnwick start this Saturday, and will the run fortnightly. The one-hour events, starting at 11am, will take place at Alnwick Arts and Crafts Centre, on Bondgate Within, and people are being encouraged to come along.

Matthew, from Alnwick, said: “I signed up to be a Dementia Friends Champion because I want to make a positive contribution and impact in my local community.

“It’s easy to get involved. I attended a training course, receive ongoing support and I’m now proud to be part of a growing network of people creating Dementia Friendly Communities together.”

There are currently 850,000 people living with dementia in England. Dementia is not a single illness but a group of symptoms caused by damage to the structure of the brain. Symptoms include memory loss, and problems with communication and reasoning.

Anyone wanting to attend the sessions in Alnwick should contact Matthew or Adam by calling 01665 606777.