MP highlights the 800,000 living with dementia across the UK
John recently joined 200 other MPs and representatives from the Alzheimer’s Society in Parliament to show his support for people with dementia and their carers. The charity is campaigning for support for their ‘Dementia Friends’ initiative launched earlier this year, which aims to help people understand what it might be like to live with dementia. The Alzheimer’s Society is aiming to have one million Dementia Friends by 2015, to help make England more dementia-friendly and improve the lives of the 650,000 people currently living with the condition.
John said:
“Dementia is a serious condition, and the chances are that at some stage we will all know someone who is affected by it. That is why it is important to understand and find out more about the condition.”
“I thoroughly support the Alzheimer’s Society’s excellent ‘Dementia Friends’ initiative, and encourage everyone to get involved with the charity’s excellent work.”
Jeremy Hughes, Chief Executive at Alzheimer’s Society said,
‘Most people don’t know enough about dementia. Dementia Friends is the perfect opportunity to be able to invite everyone to improve their knowledge. We are pleased to have been able to engage over 130 MPs in one day. They have a huge influence in their local communities and we hope they will use this opportunity to take action and improve lives‘.
Ends
Word Count: 234
Date: 3rd October 2013
Notes to Editors
- The attached photograph shows John at the Parliamentary event.
- If you are interested in becoming a Dementia Friend or helping create more communities that are dementia friendly, go to dementiafriends.org.uk to find your nearest information session or to volunteer as a Dementia Friends Champion.
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