RESIDENTS in Hook are being encouraged to sign up to a dementia information session next month.

A Dementia Friends information session will be held at 12.30pm at The Elizabeth Hall, in Raven Road, Hook on November 4 as part of the Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Friends programme.

The programme was launched in 2013 to help members of the public understand what it is like to live with dementia and turn the understanding into action.

The Alzheimer’s Society is aiming to have one million Dementia Friends by 2015, to improve the lives of the 670,000 people currently living with the condition.

Laura Campbell, care manager at Bluebird Care, in Hook, is urging people to take part in the programme.

Laura said: “I signed up to be a Dementia Friends Champion because I feel there is a lack of knowledge and understanding of dementia, there is a lot more we can do as a community.

“It’s easy to get involved. I signed up through the website and attended a one-day training course on how to deliver the sessions. I’m proud to be part of a growing network of people helping to create dementia-friendly communities across England.”

Philippa Tree, Dementia Friends regional support officer at the Alzheimer’s Society, added: “Fewer than half of us think we know about dementia.

“Dementia Friends is the perfect opportunity to be able to invite everyone up and down the country to improve their knowledge.

“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.”

To sign up to the event, contact Laura Campbell on 01256 763324 or email her at lauracampbell@bluebirdcare.co.uk.