TV stars Jo Brand and Meera Syal become two of Alzheimer's Society's first Dementia Friends

Popular comedian Jo Brand and ‘Goodness Gracious Me’ actress Meera Syal have become two of the first Dementia Friends, as part of a new initiative launched by the Alzheimer’s Society.

TV stars Jo Brand and Meera Syal at first Dementia Friends session

It is hoped that through these volunteer led information ‘Dementia Friend’ sessions, public knowledge of dementia can be improved, by helping people understand what living with the condition might be like, and the small things that they can do to make a difference to people living in their community.

Dementia Friends aims to give one million people an improved awareness of the condition by 2015, after a YouGov survey revealed just under half of people think they have a good understanding of dementia. The Alzheimer’s Society is hoping that more will follow in Jo Brand’s and Meera Syal’s footsteps and register online for a Dementia Friend session .

Alzheimer’s society ambassador, Jo Brand said: “The Dementia Friends information session I took part in gave a real insight into what everyday life is like for someone with dementia. This really helps you to realise how showing a bit more understanding could make a huge difference.

Jo Brand

“Being a Dementia Friend is about being that little bit more aware because it’s the small things that make a big difference. I trained as a psychiatric nurse so know all too well how dementia affects people.”

Speaking as an Alzheimer’s Society supporter for the first time, Meera Syal said: “One of my close family members has dementia and many of my friends have parents and grandparents living with the condition. I wanted to be a Dementia Friend so that I could start to think about how I can help in my community. I am particularly keen to raise awareness of dementia within the Asian community, indeed in all communities where people may not know what support is available.”

The free volunteer-led information sessions are being rolled out across the country and there are 60 Dementia Friend and 30 Dementia Friend Champion sessions planned with more due to be announced in the near future.

The initiative has been jointly funded by the department of Health and the Cabinet Office, as part of the Prime Minister’s Challenge on Dementia.

Jeremy Hughes, Alzheimer’s Society chief executive said: “With so few people feeling they know enough about dementia, we are so excited to be able to invite everyone up and down the country to become a Dementia Friend. 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 and to find out where your nearest session is visit www.dementiafriends.org.uk