There are currently 900,000 people living with dementia in the UK and this is projected to rise to 1.6 million by 2040.

Dementia, as well as other neurodegenerative diseases, is truly devastating not only for the affected individual but also for their friends and family.

The government is doubling funding into dementia research to £160 million per year, by the end of 2024/25. This will span all areas of research, including diagnosis and treatment of dementia, and more specifically Alzheimer’s disease.

However, dementia charities often report that people affected by dementia feel society fails to understand the condition they live with, its impact or how to interact with them.

You may have heard of memory cafés, which focus on social opportunities and light-hearted activities for those with dementia. They can be particularly helpful for those with a recent dementia diagnosis who are coming to terms with the disease’s impacts. We are blessed to have volunteers running memory cafés in Budleigh Salterton, Exmouth, Topsham and the Sid Valley.  

But it’s not only dedicated volunteers who can play a part in making a community ‘dementia friendly’. Everyone can.

One new organisation in East Devon – Dementia Friendly Sidmouth – has an inspiring mission to improve the lives of local people living with dementia and those who care for them.

Funded by Sid Valley Memory Café and working alongside Sidmouth Hospice at Home, Sid Valley Help and Sidmouth Town Council, Dementia Friendly Sidmouth will build an outstanding dementia friendly community through increased awareness, understanding and training.

Ahead of the organisation’s launch event next month, I met with members of their steering group to learn more about their plans and offer my support to them.

Please drop by Kennaway House on Saturday 1st June 2024 between 10am and 1pm to learn about their fantastic work and share your views. At the launch you can visit the virtual dementia tour, enabling you to walk in the shoes of someone with dementia.

I’ve cared for a relative with dementia, and I learnt a lot. Supported by a local community, many people can, and do, live well with dementia.