EIGHTEEN months after it first began working towards becoming a dementia friendly village, Corbridge is playing host to an awareness and information event on the condition.

Community volunteers who have led the campaign, will be joined by officials from the Alzheimer’s Society at St Andrew‘s Church tomorrow, where talks, demonstrations and a choir performance are planned.

Corbridge Parish Councillor Melvyn Stone, who has led the move towards building up a network of trained “dementia friends” within the community to ensure those living locally with dementia can continue to live independently, has organised the event.

“The Alzheimer’s Society has yet to award dementia friendly community status to any towns or villages, but I understand there are now over 100 communities across the country trying to take on the mantle,” he said.

“We are 18 months down the line and have trained hundreds of dementia friends.

“We’ve got schools and businesses on board and we have a dementia cafe and walking group.

“So the event tomorrow will hopefully help us reach out to a whole new set of people.”

The event will run from 10.30am until 12.30pm with information on Corbridge’s dementia friendly campaign for anyone interested in getting involved, as well as advice and support on hand for anyone living locally who is a carer or dementia sufferer.

Coun. Stone will give a presentation and Alzheimer’s Society development officer Amy Mallenby will lead a dementia friends training session.

Adele Kinsella, who runs Singing for the Brain sessions for dementia sufferers at Hexham Abbey, will run a taster session and a local choir has been lined up to perform.

“There’ll be free refreshments and a chance for anyone who wants to come and find out more to have a chat with people who can help,” added Coun. Stone.

“We’re hoping for a really good turnout to help increase understanding.”

There are 850,000 people in the UK living with dementia; two thirds of them live in their own homes.

Focusing on improving the inclusion and quality of life of people with dementia, the dementia friendly community scheme requires the participation of local residents, traders and key public figures, such as police officers and bus drivers.

Crucially, it means people affected by the condition are not afraid to seek help from members of their own community.

They can go about their daily business, including tasks such as shopping, banking and using public transport, knowing that if they become forgetful and confused, the people around them will be supportive and understanding.