STAFF and volunteers from the Basingstoke branch of the Alzheimer’s Society will be out in force this week as part of Dementia Awareness Week.

To mark Dementia Awareness Week, which runs from Sunday, May 17 to Saturday, May 23, the charity is encouraging people to "do something new", including things such as dining at a new restaurant or taking part in more extreme activities such as abseiling down a bridge.

There are currently 1,867 people living with dementia across Basingstoke and Deane and that figure is set to rise as the population ages.

And throughout this week, people across Basingstoke will be able to take advantage of a series of awareness-raising initiatives where people can learn more about the services offered by the charity locally and can get more advice about the disease.

As part of the awareness week, an information stand will be at the Basingstoke Discovery Centre, in Festival Place between Monday, May 18 and Friday, May 22.

Kelly Inwood, Alzheimer’s Society services manager for north Hampshire, said: "We strongly believe that life doesn’t end when dementia begins and we do everything we can to help those living with dementia hold on to their lives and the things they love for longer.

"That is why we are encouraging people to ‘do something new’ during Dementia Awareness Week.

"By doing something new, we want to get people thinking about how it’s not only possible for someone with dementia to hold onto their life and the things they love for longer, they can continue to try new things and have new experiences, too."

She added: "As the population ages, we all face the risk of one day developing dementia but with the right support people with the condition can continue to do the things to love and lots, lots more."

For more information, contact staff at the Basingstoke office on 01256 363393.